Kenneth A. Rosenthal, 95, of Morrisonville, died at 2:30 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022, at Carriage Crossing in Taylorville.
The family will receive guests from 3 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 9, at St. Maurice Catholic Church, located at 706 SE 4th Street in Morrisonville. Funeral mass will be celebrated on Monday, Jan. 10, at the church with Rev. John Burnette as celebrant. Interment with military honors will follow at St. Maurice Catholic Cemetery in Morrisonville. A celebration of life will follow the interment, starting at noon at the Knights of Columbus Post #1151, at 600 Fuller Street in Morrisonville. Perfetti-Assalley Funeral Home in Morrisonville is assisting the family with arrangements.
Mr. Rosenthal was born on Sept. 6, 1926, in Edwardsville, the son of the late Arthur and Edna (Johnson) Rosenthal. He 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.
Mr. Rosenthal moved to the Morrisonville area in 1936, and lived there throughout his lifetime. He graduated valedictorian from Morrisonville High School in 1944. Mr. Rosenthal was an avid participant in school sports and activities, starring in basketball, baseball, and track. He 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.
Mr. Rosenthal 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. Mr. Rosenthal’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. Mr. Rosenthal 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. Mr. Rosenthal served as a school board member for Morrisonville District #1 for 20 years, past president of the Abraham Lincoln Division of School Boards for seven 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. Mr. Rosenthal 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.
Mr. Rosenthal 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 three more on the way; brother, Shirlen Rosenthal of Raymond; and several nieces and nephews.
He was also preceded in death by his daughters, Carolyn Rosenthal and Donna Elmore; and infant twin great-granddaughters.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Legion Post #721, 607 Ricks Street Morrisonville, IL 62546, or Senior Citizens of Christian County, 701 W. Adams Street, Taylorville, IL 62568. Condolences may be left online at www.assalleyfuneralhomes.com.
