Fred Vahlkamp's Obituary
DECATUR – Fred J. Vahlkamp, 84, passed away at 7:45 pm, July 20th at St. Mary’s Hospital, surrounded by his family. He died of complications from Parkinson’s Disease.
Fred was born August 14, 1933 in Carlyle IL the son of John and Rose Vahlkamp.
Fred served in the U.S. Army from 1954 to 1956 and was stationed in Germany.
He married Mary Jo Hilmes on August 20, 1959.
He graduated from the University of Illinois in 1963 with a Mechanical Engineering Degree.
Fred worked for Caterpillar as a Plant Engineer from 1967 until his retirement in 1992.
In addition to working at Caterpillar he and his family owned and operated Vahlkamp Fruit Farm on Garver Church Road.
Fred was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Perpetual Adoration Team at St. Mary’s Hospital, Legion of Mary and the Pana Prayer Group.
Fred is survived by his wife Mary Jo of nearly 59 years; Children, Teresa Smith (Jeff Nosek), Steve (Connie), Stuart, Vern and Diane (Joe) Conover; Grandchildren, Matthew, Stephen and Brian Smith, Kaley and Colby Vahlkamp, Jada, Gianna and Grace Conover; Brother Vernon (Helen), Sisters; Willene Fehrmann, Rosemarie (Ray) Husmann, Lillian (Jack) Fleckenstein, Mary Huwa, Lee (Dan) Love, Brother-in-law Ralph (Carol) Hilmes and Blanche Drake (Bob Eversgerd). He was proceeded in death by his parents John and Rose Vahlkamp, brother Jack and sister-in-law Jane Vahlkamp, sister Colette, brother-in-law Paul Fehrmann and sister-in-law Mary Margaret Hilmes.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 pm Wednesday, July 25th at Moran and Goebel Funeral Home 2801 N Monroe, Decatur. Funeral Mass will be Thursday July 26th at 11 am with visitation at 10am at Our Lady of Lourdes Church 3850 Lourdes Dr, Decatur.
Memorial donations may be made to WDCR, Decatur Catholic Radio or Our Lady of Lourdes Church.
The family of Fred Vahlkamp is being served by Moran & Goebel and cremation services, 2801 North Monroe Street, Decatur, IL 62526. Please view the online obituary, send condolences, and share memories at www.moranandgoebel.com
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