Kenneth R. Joseph, 83, of Belleville, IL, died Monday, August 5, 2024, at Memorial Hospital, Belleville, IL.
Mr. Joseph was born on December 23, 1940, in St. Louis Mo., the son of Ralph and Vera, nee Spitznas, Joseph.
Upon graduating from Freeburg Community High School in 1958, Kenneth served four years in the United States Navy. He graduated from McKendree College with a degree in Criminal Justice and then worked as a police officer for the Village of Freeburg. He was then hired by the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department in 1973 and worked as a Deputy Sheriff for 22 years, retiring in 1995.Kenneth was a long-time member of the Freeburg Community High School Board of Education and a Trustee of Southwestern Illinois College. He was a member of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Freeburg, Fraternal Order of Police, Freeburg Mason, American Legion, Turkey Hill Grange, St. Clair County Pomona, and Illinois State Grange.
Kenneth was a long-time baseball coach for the Freeburg Children’s Athletic Association. He graduated from St. Louis Barber College in 1967. He loved watching baseball and loved music. He was a lifelong fan of the St. Louis Cardinals. He especially loved watching his granddaughter Olivia play sports and that his granddaughter Jennifer joined the United States Navy.
Mr. Joseph was preceded in death by his parents; sister-in-law, Karla Joseph; son-in-law, Marcus Kurburski; and brother and sister-in-law, Jim and Clara Joseph.
Surviving are his wife of 60 years, Barbara, nee Gauch, Joseph;
his children Angela Kurburski, Mike (Debbie) Joseph and Chris (Jamie) Joseph;
five grandchildren, Mathew Kurburski, Petty Officer Second Class Jennifer Kurburski,
Chad Halloran (Sydney Slaby), Conner (Kristin) Halloran,
and Olivia Joseph;
three great grandchildren, Murphy, Crosby and Finley Halloran;
a brother, Gary (Karen) Joseph of Westcliffe, Colorado;
and many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Paul’s United Church of Christ of Freeburg or the Turkey Hill Grange. Condolences may be expressed to the family online atwww.rennerfh.com.
Friends may visit from 9 a.m. to 12 noon Tuesday, August 13, 2024, at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Freeburg, IL with a memorial service will be held at 12 noon Tuesday, August 13, 2024, at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Freeburg, IL, with Rev. Andrew Lovins officiating.
Burial with military honors will follow at Elmwood Cemetery, Freeburg, IL.
