Robert "Bob" Oscar Kehl

Robert "Bob" Oscar Kehl, age 76, of Mesa, Arizona, formerly of Elizabeth, Illinois, died on Thursday, October 23, 2008 at the Phoenix V.A. Healthcare System in Phoenix, Arizona. A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, October 30, 2008 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Elizabeth with Father Noel Jacob as Celebrant. Burial will be in the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Elizabeth with Military Rites accorded by the Hanover Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post #5300. A public visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m., Thursday, October 30, 2008, prior to the funeral mass at the Law-Jones Funeral Home, Elizabeth. Memorials may be given to a charity of the donor's choice.
Bob was born on August 4, 1932 on the family farm in Derinda Township, Jo Daviess County, the son of Joseph Francis and Helen Christine (Loughran) Kehl. He received his education at Logan Grade School and also attended Stockton and Elizabeth High Schools, graduating with the Class of 1950. Bob married Betty Ann Shelly on October 19, 1957 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Savanna, Illinois.
Bob farmed with his parents for three years before enlisting in the United States Navy for four years. After commissioning, he was declared a "Plank Owner" and was stationed in Norfolk, Virginia. During his enlistment he visited Jamaica, Haiti, Cuba, Italy and finally Rome before he was honorably discharged on January 19, 1957. Bob was hired on the Milwaukee Railroad on May 5, 1957, and continued to work until his retirement on May 1, 1988.
Bob was a fifty year member of the Knights of Columbus Council #10025 and the Blue Grass American Legion. He was dedicated to many charities, such as Hospitalized Veterans, Guide Dogs for the Blind, and also sponsored a family in Kenya. Bob was an avid Chicago Cubs and Bears fan. He loved to bowl, golf, dance, work crossword puzzles, and telling jokes and stories. Bob also loved to travel, most of all he loved traveling to Kehl, Germany and Ireland tracing family history. He never met a stranger and was willing to help when called upon. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Bob is survived by his wife, Betty; two daughters, Michele (James) Doherty of Oconomowoc, Wisconsin and Geralyn (Thomas) Luisi of Las Vegas, Nevada; one son, Michael (Cassandra) Kehl of Coal Valley, Illinois; six grandchildren, Andrea, Joe, Ben, Georgianne, Austin, and Ayden; one great grandson, Alex; two step-grandchildren, Christopher (Alexandra) Luisi and Nicole Luisi; and one step-great grandchild, Gia; one brother, James Kehl of Freeport, Illinois; two sisters, Mary (Orvin) Schwartz of Freeport and Patricia (Robert) Muschamp of Falls Church, Virginia; a brother-in-law, Frank (Kathy) Schradeya; seven nephews; six nieces; and nine cousins.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, and an infant brother.