Kenneth (Kenny) Joseph Egger, age 91, of Monmouth, Illinois, passed away at 1:27 PM at his residence on November 6, 2024. He was born May 22,1933 in Davenport, Iowa, the son of Charles Anthony and Irma Louise (Dunbar) Egger. Kenny attended school in Davenport, Iowa and Monmouth High School. On November 11, 1951, he enlisted in the Illinois National guard, then served in the United States Army during the Korean War. After serving in the Army, he again served in the Illinois National Guard where he attained the rank of Command Sergeant Major. He proudly served his country, retiring at the grade of E-9 on May 22, 1993. He was presented the Illinois Soldier of the Year Award by the Chicago Tribune at a ceremony held in 1965 in Chicago.
On January 16, 1954, Kenneth married Mildred Elizabeth Kelley in Monmouth and she is surviving. They celebrated 70 years of marriage this year in their home of over 60 years.
Kenny worked for Gaskill Motor Co., Gambles Skogmo as a warehouseman and then for the United States Postal Service as a mail carrier, clerk, and Assistant Postmaster in Monmouth, Illinois. He ended his Civil Service career as the Postmaster in Oquawka, Illinois, retiring from the U.S.P.S after 27 years of service. During his career, he served as president of area postmasters. Kenny was a member of Heritage Bible Church in Monmouth and was a former member of the First Baptist Church, where he taught Sunday School and served on many boards. He was a member of the American Legion Post 136 and served in the Honor Guard for the local Legion and VFW. Kenny volunteered his time at the American Baptist Assembly, Green Lake Conference Center in Green Lake, Wisconsin for over 20 summers.
Kenny was a lifelong learner with a sense of curiosity and always had something to read nearby or tinker with in the garage. He collected every book written by John D. McDonald and was always eager to visit the Warren County Public Library. He enjoyed going to yard sales, and never passed up a deal on a radio, screw driver and other tools over the years. He and Mildred took their children on many road trips throughout the country, to museums and parks and instilled in them a love of travel. In retirement, he and Mildred took many trips all over the United States and enjoyed several trips to Europe. They were Winter Texans for many years in their retirement. He enjoyed teasing his grandchildren, attended their sporting events and liked to watch them at their school functions and laughed often at their antics. He was proud of their accomplishments and was a great mentor to them all. Kenny also enjoyed exercise classes at the local YMCA and his class enjoyed his sense of humor.
Kenneth is survived by his wife Mildred, daughters, Karen Egger of Kirkwood, Illinois and Kathy (Phil) Clevenger of Galesburg, Illinois, sons, Kelly Egger of Fairbanks, Alaska and Kevin (Dusca) Egger of Ogden, Utah, sister, Judith Reddish, and brother, Robert M. Egger. Also surviving are his grandchildren; Steven (Laura) Holford, Sara (Adam) Brock, Kristal Holford, Ryan (Marybeth) Peterson, Jennifer Morrison, Mary Egger, Tibra Egger, and Saskia Egger, great grandsons; Carson, Johnny, Forrest, great granddaughters; Alyssa, Elizabeth, Coraline, great-great granddaughters; Adley and Fynlee; and nieces and nephews who were dear to him. He is preceded in death by his parents and sisters Carolyn Probazanski, Delores Delilah (DeDe) Foust, Bonita (Bonnie) Gittings, Joyce Egger in infancy, and brothers Charlie, Donald, and Michael Egger.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, November 15, 2024 at Turnbull Funeral Home in Monmouth, Illinois. Military Honors will be given to end the service. Memorials may be left for the Warren County Library, American Legion Honor Guard, or Heritage Bible Church, Monmouth, Illinois. As were Kenneth’s wishes, cremation is being accorded. There will be no visitation prior to the funeral service. There will be an Open House Celebration of Life for friends and family at the Marion B. Fletcher Post 136 American Legion, located at 1110 N 11th Ave, Monmouth, Illinois to be held after the service at Turnbull Funeral Home. For more information, and to watch the funeral online, or to leave a remembrance of Kenneth, please visit www.turnbullfuneralhomes.com.
