Joseph H. Willenborg (97) of rural Altamont

Joseph H. Willenborg, 97 of Altamont, went to be with his Lord and Savior, his loving wife, and his loving family up above on Thursday, February 23, 2023 at 2:23 p.m. after living a long and prosperous life.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 am Monday, February 27, 2023 at St. Clare Catholic Church in Altamont with Rev. Joseph Havrilka, KCHS, officiating. Burial will follow in St. Clare Cemetery, Altamont. Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm Sunday at Bauer Funeral Home in Effingham and for one hour prior to the funeral mass, Monday at the church. His family requests no flowers or plants. Memorial donations may be given to St. Clare Catholic Church or to the charity of the donor's choice. Please dress casually or as Joe did, dressed in bib overalls.

Joseph was born on September 4, 1925 at his home in Lillyville, to Ferdinand C. and Mary A. (Ruholl) Willenborg. He married Cecelia P. Goeckner on October 8, 1947 at Bishop Church She preceded him in death on October 12, 1994.

Joseph had to quit school at the age of 12 to help on his parents' farm. After marrying Cecelia, they farmed south of Effingham. As his family grew, he purchased the farm in the Dexter area of Altamont, where he and his family lived and farmed. Joseph was a lifelong farmer even when he could no longer do the work himself. He also raised hogs and was a retired Norge/Fedders worker.

Joseph was a true Oliver man. He still owned his 1952 Oliver 77, he called "Henry". He also collected Oliver tractors and equipment as a hobby. Joseph enjoyed working in his garage making things out of wood. He was a member of St. Clare Catholic Church in Altamont and a lifetime member of the Teutopolis Knight of Columbus.

Joseph is survived by his daughters, Carol Jean Kuhlman (James Allen) of Shumway, Linda (Kenny) Gouchenouer, Janet Willenborg, both of Altamont and Cindy (Stanley) Willenborg-Mathis of Shumway; grandchildren, Steven (Dawn) Kuhlman of Beecher City, Patrick Kuhlman of Shumway, Derrick Kuhlman of Shumway, Cassie (John) Will of Newton and Mark (Lauren) Mathis of Mode; step-grandchildren, Christopher (Toby) Gouechener of Lake Mary, Florida; great-grandchildren, Whitney Campbell of Mattoon, Kadin Kuhlman of Stewardson, Devin Kuhlman of Neoga, Alyssa (Lewis) Huber of United Kingdom, Lucas Will, and Cecelia Jo Will of Newton; great-great-grandchildren, Aburi, Gracie and Edith.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 47 years, Cecelia; sister, Leona Mary Willenborg; brothers, Albert (Doris) Willenborg and Andrew (Sue Ann) Willenborg; step-grandson, Kenneth Gouechener Jr; nephew John P.Willenborg; nieces, Brenda Willenborg-Reiss and Charlotte Ruholl; father and mother-in-law, John and Elizabeth Goeckner; brothers-in-law, Charles Goeckner and John (Lucille) Goeckner; sisters-in-law, Dorothy (Bernard) Ruholl and Bertha (Charlie) Hardig; half-siblings Theresa (Harry) Kremer, Sister Eustacia Goeckner, Elizabeth Habing, Caroline Dooley and Anna Marie Lerfeld.