Obituary of Kenneth Jerome DeJarld

Kenneth Jerome DeJarld

Kenneth Jerome DeJarld, 91, passed away peacefully on September 29, 2023, under the comfort of care at Buehler Home in Peoria, Illinois with his family.  He was born on June 2, 1932, in Joliet and was a longtime Joliet area resident, retiring to Ft. Myers, FL in 2000.  Ken was a gifted football and basketball athlete at Joliet Township High School, graduating with the Class of 1950, and proudly served our Nation as a member of the United States Army, including service in Korea. He was a member of and baseball coach at Belmont A.C. and Ingalls Park A.C. in Joliet, Illinois. He retired from Illinois Bell (Ameritech) after over 37 years of dedicated service.

Ken enjoyed his retirement in Ft. Myers playing cards, bocce ball, shuffleboard, and attending live entertainment with his numerous friends at Jamaica Bay Village.

Ken was the beloved father of four sons, Thomas (Kristi), James (Ana Liza), Steven, and John (Jen) DeJarld. He is also survived by six grandchildren, Matthew, Phillip, Daniel, Ryann, Jane, and Jack; one great-grandson, Beckett; four nieces and one nephew.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Norman and Kathryn (nee Heyer) DeJarld; brother, Richard DeJarld; sister-in-law, Zara DeJarld; and long-time companion, Beverly Muchitch.

Visitation for Kenneth Jerome DeJarld will be held on Thursday, October 5, 2023, at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Rd. (at Essington Rd.), Joliet, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the Funeral Service at 1:00 p.m.  Military honors will be held under the auspices of the United States Army. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park.  

 In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his name to Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

For more information please call 815-741-5500 or visit his Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com where you can share a favorite memory or leave an online condolence.