Lowell E. “Bill” Kayser
Lowell E. “Bill” Kayser, 94, of Quincy died Tuesday, May 27, 2014 in Blessing Hospital.
Bill was born August 4, 1919, in Prairie Du Rocher, IL. He was the son of George Kayser and Louise Mollet Kayser. Bill met Marian Kientzle at a dance hall in St Louis shortly after World War II ended. They were married June 19, 1948 at St Boniface Church in Quincy.
Bill attended St Joseph’s Catholic schools in Prairie Du Rocher. At the age of 16, he was awarded the national Carnegie’s hero medal after he swam to the rescue of two drowning boys. Using the money associated with the Carnegie medal, Bill attended David Rankin trade school in St Louis studying machine shop practice. He then played semi-pro baseball before taking a job as a die-maker for the Metzger company.
Bill was a World War II Army veteran. He served in North Africa and Italy. He was the recipient of the Purple Heart and the Soldier’s Medal, given for valor in the rescue of injured men during an ammunition dump explosion. After the war, Bill worked as a machinist. He spent a large part of his management career as the general foreman at Gardner Denver in Quincy.
Marian and Bill attended St Mary’s Catholic Church (now Blessed Sacrament parish). Bill was a past Exalted Ruler of the Quincy Elks lodge. Bill liked to hunt and fish and tend a vegetable garden at the family home at 1417 Adams. He was a lifelong St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan. He faithfully watched the televised games and memorized the players’ statistics.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved spouse Marian, his sisters Velma Breidenbach, Viola Goewert, Elvera Vesci, Esther Dempster, brother Robert Kayser and brothers George and Kasper who died in early childhood.
Bill is survived by two sisters, his seven children, fifteen grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren. His sisters are Helen (Martin) Dooley of Granite City, Il and LuAnn (John) Falbe of Overland Park, KS. Bill’s children are Jim (Kay) of Quincy, IL, Terry (Carol) of Ursa, IL, Connie (Lyle) of Springfield, IL, Dan (Vanessa) of Mendon, IL, Billy (Kathy) of Perry, MO, Janet (Don) of Hillsboro, MO and Kevin (Renee) of Chesterfield, MO.
His grandchildren are Jenifer (Jeremy) Schoonover, Roni (Scott) Nichols, Danielle (Jake) Miller, Elizabeth Kayser, Casey Kayser, Christy Kayser (Andrew) Arrazattee, Matt (Nicole) Kayser, Tim Kayser, Annie Kayser, Hanna Shirrell, Katie Shirrell, Nicole (Eric) Wheatley, Sarah (Ross) Braden, Zach Kayser and Cecilia Kayser.
Bill and Marian resided at Good Samaritan Home for the last few years where nurses Danielle (“Dede”) and Roni provided loving care to their grandparents.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 31, 2014 at 9:30 in the Duker & Haugh Funeral Home and at 10:00 in Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. Interment in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Friday evening from 4:00 until 7:00 PM at the Duker & Haugh Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the Good Samaritan Employee Assistance Fund.
It was my dad — Leo Clyde Franklin — whose life Mr. Kayser saved back in 1935, pulling him to safety when he was not a proficient swimmer himself. A few years later, they both served their country, Dad in the Pacific and Mr. Kayser in the Mediterranean. And again, Mr. Kayser manifested his remarkable mettle by risking his life to rescue injured soldiers. Dad died in 2010, shortly after his 90th birthday, but he always spoke of ‘Lowell’ with gratitude bordering on reverence. And of course, my sisters, Barb, Charlotte, and Kathy, my brother, Gerry, and I are forever grateful to Mr. Kayser for his selfless act in saving our dad when both were but lads. To Mr. Kayser’s children, we express our heartfelt sympathy. Good people abound — truly, they do — but your father was a great man.
Billy, Danny and the Kayser family,
I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your parents. They were a big part of my childhood and will always have a fond place in my memories. My thoughts are with you and all the family.
Sorry for your loss.
Dear Kevin, Renee, Cecilia, Zach and all of your family, we are so sorry for the loss of Dad and Grandpa. A wonderful man to be remembered always. We send you love and friendship during this difficult time.
Janet / Don / Hanna & Katie, We were saddened to hear of your Father’s/Grandfather’s passing this week. Like most people we at a loss for the appropriate words to say at a time like this, but please accept our sincere condolences and Christian sympathies. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. Lisa & Portmann
Dan and Billy,
I will be thinking about you and your families during this difficult time. Praying that you know the peace and comfort of God!
Blessings, Jamie
Jim, please accept my sincere condolences and know that my heart and prayers are always with you and your family.
Regards, Sammi