FRANKLIN GROVE — William (Bill) Kirchhofer passed away peacefully on Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023 in his home at The Meadows in Franklin Grove, Illinois.

Bill was born in 1925 in Effingham County, Illinois to William and Augusta (Stuckemeyer) Kirchhofer. He married Elinor Ann Steagall on July 15, 1945 at Boca Raton Air Field, Boca Raton, Fla.

Bill enlisted in the Army Air Corps the day after his 18th birthday in 1943 and was accepted. He completed extensive training at bases in Texas, California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Florida and became a flight officer. The war ended before his time to be deployed overseas and he served until 1946. Bill’s five brothers also served either during WW II or the occupation following World War II.

Bill received a degree from the University of Illinois and taught high school agriculture near Champaign, before becoming the manager of a grain and livestock farm near Ashton,. In the early 1960s, Bill and Ann purchased and moved to their farm south of Ashton and, at about the same time, purchased the insurance agency in Franklin Grove. Bill became licensed to sell insurance and not long after that, added real estate brokerage and income tax services at The Kirchhofer Agency. Bill remained active in The Kirchhofer Agency into his early 90s and active in farming even through this last harvest season.

Bill was a man of deep faith in Christ Jesus. He was proud of the community in which he and his family lived. Bill was active in and served at Reynolds United Methodist Church, the Lions Club, and in the Franklin Grove American Legion Post.

Bill is survived by his children, Doug (Lana) of Knoxville, Tenn., Bruce (Jamie) of Naples, Fla., John (Nan), of Dallas, Texas, Brad (Emma) of Houston, Texas, and Neil (Kristi) of McKinney, Texas. He was blessed with 13 grandchildren, and 19 great-grandchildren.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Ann; his brothers Clarence, Art, Ervin, Don, and Norman and sister, Edna.

Bill’s sons are deeply grateful to the staff at The Meadows of Franklin Grove who provided excellent care and treated Bill as family. 

In lieu of a funeral and according to Bill’s wishes, a Celebration of Life will be planned for Spring of 2024. Burial will be in Ashton Cemetery, Ashton. 

Online condolences may be shared at Legacy.com. Memorials may be made to Franklin Grove Public Library, 112 S. Elm Street, Franklin Grove, IL, 61031.