Carl James Voelkel, 86, of Belleville, IL, born Wednesday, February 14, 1940, passed away Friday, April 24, 2026, at his residence in Belleville, IL.
Carl was a stable, quiet, and faithful man. He loved the Lord and was a member of St. Matthew Church in Belleville, IL, since 1967. He served as an usher and member of the administrative board of the church. Carl was the owner and operator of Plaza Auto Parts in Belleville from 1964-2024. From 2007 until the present, he was a trustee of the Belleville Northwest Fire Department. During high school, he was a member of the Belleville Black Knights Drum and Bugle Corps. He was also a veteran of the United States Air National Guard. Carl enjoyed fixing broken things, especially helping others repair their things, and could fix just about anything. He loved to go line dancing with his wife, and boating, camping and water skiing with his family.
He was preceded in death by his:
- Parents: Leroy Carl and Maryan Emeline, nee Middlecoff, Voelkel
- Brother: Dean R. Voelkel
Surviving are his:
- Wife of 64 years: Jo Jean, nee Stafford, Voelkel of Belleville, IL
- Daughters
- Jean (Ken) Swenson of Belleville, IL
- Shelly (Ted) Bussen of Belleville, IL
- Grandchildren
- Alyssa Kelly
- Matthew Swenson
- Grant Swenson
- Luke (Mariah) Swenson
- Great grandchildren
- Addison Kelly
- Ruth Aurora “Rory” Swenson
- Milo Swenson
- Brother: Roger (Joyce) Voelkel of Rogers, AR
Memorials: Memorials may be made to the Momentum Campaign at St. Matthew Church in Belleville.
Funeral Home Visitation: Visitation from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at Kurrus Funeral Home in Belleville, Illinois
Fire Department Walk-through: Walk-through will be held by the Northwest Fire Department at 6:30 pm.
Church Visitation: Visitation from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., Thursday, April 30, 2026, at St. Matthew Church in Belleville, IL.
Services: Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., April 30, 2026, at St. Matthew Church in Belleville, IL, with Rev. Bob Swickard officiating. Interment will follow at Lake View Memorial Gardens, Fairview Heights, IL.
