Louis VanCleve VonBehren

He was born on February 13, 1931, in Percy (Randolph County), IL, to Warren N. and Pearl Kell VonBehren. Lou married Barbara Ames in Mt. Vernon in 1951. She preceded him in death in 2011. Lou married Janet MacGregor of Springfield in 2012, and she passed in 2020. His parents; a brother, Robert Warren VonBehren; and grandsons, Ryan John and Michael Louis VonBehren, also preceded him in death.

Lou is survived by two children, Dale (Kathleen) VonBehren of Holden, MA, and Beth (Steven) Sturm of Chatham; three grandchildren, Ashley (Todd) Jernigan of Edwardsville, Megan (Michael) Kandybowicz of Chester, NJ, and Lauren Sturm of Parrish, FL; and three great-grandchildren, Alayna Jernigan of Edwardsville, Kaia, and Owen Kandybowicz of Chester, NJ; step-daughter, Kathryn (John) Lowrey of Springfield; two step-grandchildren; and companion, Carolee Drennan.

He graduated from Mt. Vernon, IL Twp. High School, earned his bachelor’s degree in education from SIUC in 1953 where he was a member of TKE fraternity, and earned his MA from Sangamon State University in 1975. Lou taught high school drafting in New Albany, IN, and retired from the Illinois Department of Transportation with 36+ years of service. He was a licensed professional engineer in Illinois. After that retirement, he worked 17 years with FEMA as a public assistance project officer, retiring in 2013. Lou was also treasurer of the Carbondale Highway Credit Union and worked at SIU School of Medicine in their simulated patient program.

Lou was a 59-year active member of the First Presbyterian Church, having served on the Session during the tenure of five pastors and 59 years in the choir. He was a member of Springfield Sertoma Club, a 20-year caregiver for Third Age Living, and a volunteer at Helping Hands.

He was an Eagle Scout and served as Explorer Advisor and Boy Scout Committeeman. Lou enjoyed singing most of his life: starting in high school where he was a charter member of the Springfield Oratorio Choir, the IL Symphony Chorus, and most recently, the Land of Lincoln Barbershop Chorus. Lou performed in musicals at the Theater Center and the Springfield Muni. He also enjoyed rooting for the Cardinals, Illini sports, camping, travel, making pies, playing bridge, and golf- getting a hole-in-one in 2001. He especially enjoyed summer vacations on Lake Webb in Maine with dear friends.

Family will host a visitation at First Presbyterian Church at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, November 18, 2024, prior to a Memorial Service that will begin at 11:00 a.m. with a luncheon immediately following at the church.

Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church or Animal Protective League.

The family is being served by Boardman-Smith Funeral Home, 800 S. Grand Ave., Springfield.