Obit of Donald J. Kemmer

SIBLEY – Donald J. Kemmer, 91, of Sibley died at 11:10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015, at Heritage Health in Gibson City. His funeral Mass will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Gibson City, with Father Thomas Theneth officiating. Burial will be in Drummer Township Cemetery in Gibson City. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Lamb Funeral Home in Gibson City, with a rosary service at 4:30 p.m., also at the funeral home. Mr. Kemmer was born Nov. 26, 1923, in Germanville Township, a son of William and Pearl E. (Knight) Kemmer. He married Ruby C. Kerber on Nov. 20, 1948, in Gibson City. She died Nov. 29, 2011. Surviving are his children: William (Diana) Kemmer of Sibley, and Cheryl (Philip) Brown and Marlene Cluver both of St. Joseph; seven grandchildren: Regina Lewis, Carley Kemmer, Alex Kemmer, Ryan (Cara) Roberts, Amy (Jake) Dorsey, Dawn Cluver and Torrie (Rick) Strada; eight great-grandchildren, Dustin, Dan and Abby Lewis, Hanna and Patrick Roberts, Noah and Zoey Straka and Henry Dorsey; and a sister, Rita Whipple of Utica. He was preceded in death by his son Marvin, three sisters, four brothers, and his son-in-law Monte Cluver. Donald worked for Central Soya in Gibson for 18 years. He later worked for Firestone for 22 years, retiring in 1987. He was a member of the Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Gibson City. He was an avid sports fan, enjoying Illini football and basketball, the Chicago Bears and NASCAR. He was an Army veteran. Memorial tributes may be made to Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church or Gibson Area Hospital.