Kenneth E. Koebele (59) of rural Wheeler

Kenneth E. Koebele, age 59, of rural Wheeler, Illinois, passed away at 10:31 PM Sunday, August 21, 2022, in rural Jasper County, Illinois.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 AM on Thursday, August 25, 2022, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Island Grove, Illinois with Fr. Frank Folino celebrating mass. Burial will be in the St. Joseph Cemetery in Island Grove, Illinois. Visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 PM Wednesday, August 24, 2022, at the church. In loving memory of Kenneth, memorials may be made to St. Michael School Building Fund or to the Jasper County Cancer Fund. Arrangements are under the care of the Meyer Funeral Home in Newton, Illinois.

Kenneth was born in Effingham, Illinois, on August 26, 1962, the son of George (deceased) and Marilyn (Swingler) Koebele. He graduated from Newton Community High School where he met the love of his life and best friend Sharon Dhom. They were married October 8, 1983, at St. Thomas Church, Newton Illinois, and she survives. He graduated from Lake Land College with an Associates Degree in Electrical Engineering. After many attempts at finding a job he loved, at the age of 37 he became an AFLAC insurance agent and knew he found his calling. Kenny never met a stranger and it made him the best agent around.

There will never be another Kenny Koebele. He had a big booming voice and an even bigger heart, not that he would want anyone to know that. He was loved dearly by his wife of 38 years, three children Melissa (Evan) Semple, Alexander Koebele, Whitney (Jacob) Probst and his bonus daughter Jill (Coty) Kistner. He will be missed beyond measure by his 9 grandchildren Scarlett Semple; Harrison, Lyla and Josephine Koebele; Jax, Eli and Leo Probst and Chase and Reed Kistner. 

He enjoyed traveling, golfing, gambling, mushroom hunting, and Moonshine cheeseburgers, but mostly he loved spending time with his family. He enjoyed watching all of his grandchildren’s sports and making sure that they heard his voice above everything else. He and Sharon made it their mission to spend as much time with their family as possible. Going on vacations and just spending afternoons hanging out at their house on the weekends. He was never happier than when he was surrounded by all of them.

Kenny is survived by his mother Marilyn Koebele, In-laws David and Shirley Dhom, Siblings; Nancy (Rick) Meinhart, Gary (Rochelle) Koebele, Alan (Wanda) Koebele, Margie (Toby) Probst and Ronald (Karla) Koebele. Sister-in-law Sheila Thomas, Brother-in-laws Doug (Lana) Dhom and Dip (Audrey) Dhom. He is also survived and will be missed by many nieces, nephews, friends and loved ones. BAM!