Kathleen Stella (Herrmann) Fayhee, 80, of Prairie City, died on Friday, May 13, 2022 at Wesley Village in Macomb, Illinois. She suffered a stroke on April 9, 2022 and died with dignity under Hospice care almost five weeks later. She was born on November 2, 1941, in Glenwood, Indiana, the eighth of twelve children born to Leo and Stella Herrmann. She graduated from Rushville High School in Rushville, Indiana, in 1960, then went to Kansas City for stewardess training.
She decided to move to Washington, DC, and worked as a secretary to the personnel director for the Bureau of Ships in the Navy. While there, she met Jack Fayhee. They had their first date in September 1965, when Kathleen was going to make her first skydive. (Jack watched from the ground.) She stepped out on the wing, then refused to jump, so the plane had to return to the ground, and she had to pay everyone else’s fare. Jack and Kathy were married on November 26, 1966 and moved to Prairie City in 1968. She was active in the St. Bernard Catholic Church Women’s Guild. She enjoyed cooking, gardening, and playing cards with her card club. She never learned to swim but was still brave enough to water ski (while wearing three life jackets), although this came to an end when she saw a snake in the water. She had a strong sense of right and she held firm to her beliefs.
She is survived by her loving husband of 55 years, Jack, and their children: Mary Kathleen Lockard (David Miller), of Macomb; John Fayhee, of Rockford; Christopher Fayhee (Ashley), of Macomb; and Julieann Smith (Stephen), of Ursa along with their grandchildren: Jack and Ben Lockard, Ethan and Anne Miller, Audrey, Caitlyn, Brianna, and Mackenzie Fayhee, Nicholas Miller; and Sabrina Mcmahill. She is also survived by her siblings: Edith Johnson, Marie Frait, Leo Herrmann, and Joe Herrmann.
She was preceded in death by her siblings: Richard Herrmann, Rita Herrmann, Louis Herrmann, Anne Drew, Rosemary Fleming, Margaret Herrmann, and Carol Herrmann.
A memorial mass will be held on Wednesday, May 18, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Bushnell with Father Patrick O’Neal officiating. Visitation will take place at 9:00 a.m. prior to the services. Kathleen will be laid to rest in the Prairie City Cemetery following the mass.
Memorials may be made in Kathleen’s name to St. Bernard Catholic Church or to Wesley Village. The family would like to extend their gratitude to the Bushnell Rescue Squad, Lifeguard Ambulance Service, Air Evac Lifeteam, OSF St. Francis Hospital in Peoria, OSF St. Anthony’s Hospital in Rockford, Wesley Village, and McDonough District Hospital Hospice, for their expert and loving care. Wise Family Funeral Home, Avon, is in charge of the arrangements.
