Vernon Francis Vahlkamp, age 87 of Carlyle, peacefully passed away with his loving wife, Helen, by his side on Monday, December 30, 2024.
Vernon was born on August 21, 1937, in Breese, IL, the son of the late Rose (Wilken) and John Vahlkamp of Carlyle.
Vernon is survived by his wife Helen of 64 years, his children, Karen (Rod) Schubert of Carlyle, Gerry (Debbie) Vahlkamp of Carlyle, Janice (Troy) Hempen of Carlyle, Dale (Kira) Vahlkamp of Carlyle, and Laura (Travis) Vahlkamp of Highland. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Mary Fulton in 2007.
He is also survived by his grandchildren, Krista (Eric) Theby, Aaron (Bry) Mahlandt, Kyle Fulton, Luke (special friend Kris) Mahlandt, Colin (special friend Katie McMullen) Vahlkamp, Jake (Fiancé Serena McPhail) Fulton, Alexandra (Zach) Bach, Mariah Vahlkamp, Gillian Anderson, and Wyatt Anderson, and his great-grandchildren, Ellis and August Theby.
Vernon is also survived by his sisters, Lillian (Jack) Fleckenstein, Willene Fehrmann, Mary Huwa, Rose Marie Husmann and Lee (Dan) Love and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mr. Vahlkamp was preceded in death by his parents, family members Fred and Mary Jo Vahlkamp, John “Jack†and Jane Vahlkamp, Collette Vahlkamp, Marcel and Joanie Kampwerth, Cyril Kampwerth, Tom Kampwerth, Lawrence “Turk†Kampwerth, Stan Kampwerth, his mother and father-in-law, Agnes (Lammers) and Lawrence Kampwerth, and his brother-in-law, Raymond “Doc†Husmann.
Vernon was a member of the first graduating class of Mater Dei Catholic High School. After graduating high school, he served in the United States Army in Korea during the Korean War.
He was a lifelong farmer and carpenter. After retiring from the family farm, Vernon enjoyed his love of building and remodeling with the business he shared with his two sons. Vernon had the gift of woodworking, and he used his knowledge of farming on a different scale with gardening. He always took pride in sharing his bountiful garden with his children, grandchildren and neighbors. After his retirement from construction, he continued his hobbies of gardening and fishing.
Mr. Vahlkamp was a determined and dedicated soul to his family, his friends, and to the development of his subdivision, St. Joseph’s Estates, which came to fruition in the early 1990’s. He was a devout Catholic and a member of St. Mary’s Church in Carlyle. He was also a Third-Degree Member of the Knights of Columbus, Carlyle Council 1382, Beckemeyer American Legion Post 1227, a past member of the Beckemeyer Fire Department and the Clinton County Farm Service. Vernon was always willing to lend a helping hand whether to family, friends, the Matthew 25 Food Pantry, Knights of Columbus benefit breakfasts, St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, or anyone who was in need. Vernon’s contributions to his community and to his family, friends and neighbors always brought a smile to his face and pride in his heart. He will be dearly missed and remembered by the many lives he touched.
A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial for Mr. Vahlkamp will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Friday, January 3, 2025, at St. Mary’s Church with Fr. George Mauck, celebrating. Interment with military honors will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery. Visitation will be held at Zieren Funeral Home, 1111 Clinton Street, Carlyle, IL on Thursday, January 2, 2025, from 4:00 – 8:00 PM and on Friday, January 3, 2024, from 8:00-9:30 AM.
A Luncheon will be served at St. Mary's Parish Center following the committal service.
Expressions of sympathy in memory of Mr. Vahlkamp are suggested to St. Mary’s Cemetery and will be received through Zieren Funeral Home. |