Emerit Lindbeck

The Peoria Journal Star, 8/28/2008

KEWANEE - Emerit "Em" D. Lindbeck, 74, of Kewanee died at 8:55 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2008, at Kewanee Hospital.

Private funeral services will be at the First United Methodist Church in Kewanee. The Rev. K. Bruce Rushing will officiate. Private burial will be in Wethersfield Cemetery.

Memorials may be directed to the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois or the Goodfellows.

Em was born Aug. 27, 1934, in Kewanee, the son of Emerit F. and Dorothy E. (Desmond) Lindbeck.

He is survived by two sons, Tyvan (Robyn) Lindbeck of Tampa, Fla., and Emerit Tod (Kay) Lindbeck of Collinsville, Ill.; seven daughters, Autumn (David) Peck of Sparta, Ill., Kami (Schellas) Hyndman of Dallas, Texas, Kelle (Denny) Oest of Dover, Fla., Kari (Mark) Neff of Jackson, Tenn., Amber Lindbeck of Lewisville, Texas, Anjay (Dale) Colbert of Henderson, Tenn., and Tori (Joe) Hamilton of Tampa, Fla.; one sister, Lorranine E. Spear of Kewanee; one nephew, Kip (Barb) Spear; and 23 grandchildren, Troy, Ryan, Courtney, Brittni, Chelsea, Lee, Rachel, Tamara, Nathan, Jessica, Lindi, Trey, Rheanna, Dalton, Cloe, Cole, Brett, Drew, Nicole, Zachery, Xavier, Imonie and Channya.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Em graduated from Kewanee High School in 1952 and then from the University of Illinois in 1956. During his college years from 1953 to 1955, he played for the Fighting Illini baseball and football teams. He was the Illini quarterback for several years. He was named All-American in 1955. In 1956, he was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams football team, which he later declined in order to play as an outfielder for the Detroit Tigers from 1961 to 1962.

In his early years he had worked for the Walworth Company and the city of Kewanee. He had taught for the Kewanee School District and coached the football and basketball teams and also was Dean of Students.

He was a member of the First United Methodist Church.

He had been a city councilman from 1979 to 1987 and was mayor for the city of Kewanee from 1987 to 1989.

His hobbies included hunting and fishing, but mostly he enjoyed his family and grandchildren.

This obituary may be viewed and private condolences left at www.ruxfuneralhome.com.