Tobias F. Kircher, Jr. (95) of Effingham

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, October 21, 2023 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Strasburg, IL with Rev. Kene Whybrew officiating. Visitation will be from 10-11 a.m. Saturday in the church. Burial will be in St. Paul Cemetery, Strasburg. Memorials may be given to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Arrangements are by Howe & Yockey Funeral Home, Strasburg. Online condolences may be left by clicking here.

Tobias was born February 7, 1928 near Strasburg, the son of Tobias F. Kircher, Sr. and Frieda (Schrimpf) Kircher. He was baptized February 21, 1928 by Rev. E.F. Mueller and confirmed April 26, 1942 by Rev. L. Stuebe at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Strasburg. He was given Matthew 11:28 as his confirmation verse. He attended St. Paul’s Lutheran Grade School and graduated from Strasburg High School with the class of 1946. After graduating from high school, he hauled grain for area farmers and elevators. He was a lifelong farmer and enjoyed driving his red International Harvester tractors, black trucks, and white cars. Tobias married Melba Rose Acklin on April 8, 1972 at St. Paul’s Church, Strasburg, with Rev. Kenneth Wegener officiating. He was a lifelong member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and served his church as a trustee for many years. He was a member of Shelby County Farm Bureau since 1948.

Tobias is survived by his wife, Melba of Effingham; four children, Christine Weaver (Elmo) of Sullivan, IL, Kathleen Medved (David) of Greenfield, IN, Mark Kircher (Margaret) of Bement, IL, and Brenda Taylor (Debbie) of Charleston, IL; six grandchildren, Brian Sprino, Korin Beckwith, Matthew Weaver, Aaron Tobias Kircher, Adam Kircher, and Christopher Smith; 10 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Thelma Flagg of Crystal Lake, IL; and 11 nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and sisters, Jeanette Biehler (Nolen) and Margaret Keller (Walter).