Walter L. Kohlmann, 84 of Fairbury, died at 1:23 pm, Sunday, November 10, 2019 at Evenglow Inn, Pontiac.

Funeral services will be held at 11 am, Friday, November 15, 2019 at the First United Methodist Church, Fairbury with Pastor Ann Champion officiating. Burial will follow in Graceland Cemetery, Fairbury.

Visitation will be 4 to 7pm, Thursday, November 14, 2019 at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury; and one hour prior to the funeral at the church on Friday. Masonic Rites will be conducted at 7pm, at the conclusion of the visitation on Thursday night.  In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be given to Shriners Children Hospital, First United Methodist Church of Fairbury, and Evenglow Inn, Pontiac.

Mr. Kohlmann was born July 21, 1935 in Weston, IL the son of Karl and Marie (Roeseler) Kohlmann. He married Ruth Ann James on June 25, 1966 in Fairbury. His wife, Ruth Ann passed away June 28, 2013.  His parents and one sister in law, Rita Kohlmann also preceded him in death.

Survivors include one daughter, Kristi Wykes, Pontiac; one son, Kai Kohlmann, Bloomington; two brothers, Oscar Kohlman, Pontiac; Keith (Kathleen) Kohlmann, Carmel, IN; three sisters, Delores (Robert) Ritter, Brimfield; Jean (Joseph) Gradishar, Spring Grove; Dorothy (Dennis) Pignotti, Lexington; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mr. Kohlmann was a graduate of Fairbury Township High School, class of 1953. He was active in FFA and Football, member of the First United Methodist Church of Fairbury, Methodist Men, Happy Mediums, and many others. Walt was a member of the Ancient, Free, and Accepted Masons of Illinois, 1972; and member of Tarbolton Masonic Lodge #351 in Fairbury. He was employed at Honegger's, Stoller & Maurer Construction, both of Fairbury transitioning to Co-Owner of Vissering Construction, Streator, before retiring several times and farming the family farm all of his life.

He was a major contributor to the city of Fairbury devoting countless hours of labor for the betterment of the community. He contributed materials and labor to build restrooms and the concessions stand at Westview School. Walt was also a contributor to the creation of North Park also in Fairbury.

One of Walt's great loves was working the family farm. He did so with his father, mother, and siblings. Later in life, he continued to farm with one of the best families in our community, the Dale Atkins family. The family has been a vital part of Walt's farming career.

Walt's love of children led him to become part of the Shriner community. Some of his proudest memories were being a part of the parades, and entertaining the children.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Evenglow Inn and its excellent staff. Walt was very well cared for and loved by the entire staff.