Kenneth A. Rosenthal, 95, of Morrisonville, passed away at 2:30 a.m. on Thursday, January 6, 2022 at Carriage Crossing in Taylorville.
Kenny was born September 6, 1926 in Edwardsville, the son of the late Arthur and Edna (Johnson) Rosenthal. He moved to the Morrisonville area in 1936, and had lived there ever since. Kenny graduated Valedictorian from Morrisonville High School in 1944. He was an avid participant in school sports and activities, starring in basketball, baseball, and track. Kenny was also Class President, Co-Editor of the Crest Yearbook, and an orator in the school’s literary competitions. Upon graduation, he proudly served our country in the United States Navy Air Force. Kenny married LaDonna Mae Bedinghaus on May 31, 1948 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Farmersville. She preceded him in death on May 27, 2005, after nearly 57 years of marriage.
Kenny was a lifelong farmer. He also worked for the State of Illinois, first as a driver’s license examiner in Pana, before retiring as Regional Administrator of Illinois Central Division of Meat-Poultry and Livestock Inspection. He then went on to another full-time career as a Crop Adjustor Supervisor for Country Companies, where he retired at the age of 87. Kenny’s hard work and community mindedness continued within his community. He was a faithful member of St. Maurice Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus Post 1151. Kenny wore many other hats in his community, such as a member of the American Legion Post 721 where he held several different offices, Community Club, V.F.W. Post 4495 in Taylorville, as well as a former Village Trustee. He will be best remembered for his commitment to education and youth sports. Kenny served as a school board member for Morrisonville District #1 for 20 years, past president of the Abraham Lincoln Division of School Boards for 7 years, and the official time keeper for Mohawk Basketball for 27 years. He was instrumental in starting the Morrisonville American Legion youth baseball league. His commitment to young people did not go unnoticed. Kenny was inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame in 2002. He was an avid bowler, and sports fan, especially loving the St. Louis Cardinals, Rams, and Fighting Illini.
He was also preceded in death by his daughters, Carolyn Rosenthal and Donna Elmore; and infant twin great granddaughters.
Kenny is survived by his children, Wayne (Marcia) Rosenthal of Morrisonville, David (Kathy) Rosenthal of Taylorville, Diana (Allyn) Braun of Edgerton, WI, Nancy (Jeff) Hessel of Edwardsville, Angela (John) Christian of Taylorville, and Jon (Phyllis) Rosenthal of Morrisonville; son-in-law, Jim Elmore of Springfield; 17 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren and 3 more on the way; brother, Shirlen Rosenthal of Raymond; and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation: The family will receive guests from 3:00-6:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 9, 2022 at St. Maurice Catholic Church, 706 SE 4th Street, Morrisonville, IL 62546.
Funeral Mass: 10:00 a.m. on Monday, January 10, 2022 at St. Maurice Catholic Church, with Rev. John Burnette as celebrant.
