Mr. Cletus William Kinzinger, 97, of New Athens, IL, born April 5, 1926, in New Athens, IL, passed away Saturday March 23, 2024, at his residence.  He was the owner/operator of Kinzinger Home Center in New Athens, IL.  He was an avid card player and loved spending time on the family farm.  Cletus honorably serviced his country in the US Army towards the end of WW2.  Mr. Kinzinger was very active in the community as a member and former board member of St. John United Church of Christ in New Athens, life member of VFW Post 7710 in New Athens – serving as Past Commander and Past Quartermaster, Past Commander American Legion Post 565, President of the New Athens Fire Protection District, member of the New Athens Volunteer Fire Company and was Past President, New Athens Sportsmen’s Club, former trustee of the New Athens Village Board and Past President of the New Athens Savings & Loan.

Cletus was preceded in death by his parents – Rolland and Clara (Sturm) Kinzinger, his beloved wife – the former Lela Mae Langenstein, whom he married on May 18, 1947, in Jackson, MO and who preceded him on December 28, 2004, his siblings – LaVerne (the late Gladys) Kinzinger, Ralph (the late Vera) Kinzinger, Norman Kinzinger and Loretta (the late Wilfred) Hammond, son-in-law – Dwight Tinney, a niece – Donna Casperson and nephew Dr. Russell Kinzinger, D.V.M.

Surviving him are his daughter – Peggy Tinney, two granddaughters – Amanda (Jonathan) Vallero and Amber (Neal) O’Donnell and three gr. grandchildren – Isla, William and Brooke, one sister-in-law – Carol Kinzinger and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Memorials may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

In keeping with his wishes, no public visitation times will be scheduled.  The family would like to extend deep gratitude for the exceptional love and care provided to Cletus throughout the years.

Private family services will be observed at Valhalla Gardens of Memory in Belleville, IL.

Heil-Schuessler Funeral Home in New Athens, IL is in charge of arrangements.

1. Marvin Kaiser says:

   03/26/2024 at 3:47 pm

   Our condolences to Peggy and Cletus’s family. My relationship with Cletus and Lela goes back a long while as Lela and her parents lived upstairs in our home on Market Street. I can remember Cletus from the time he came and worked with my Dad in 1946 or 1947. Later my Dad had me working with Cletus and he taught me a lot. A fine man who I had the good fortune to know most of my life. God bless.

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2. Pamela Calvert says:

   03/26/2024 at 9:48 am

   Cletus was such a sweetheart! His smile was infectious! So thankful for him being my parents dear dear friend and Neighbor! And a great companion for my mother, when my father passed! Sending lots of love and prayers to the family! He will be missed❤️❤️

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3. Jim and Florence Schulz says:

   03/24/2024 at 10:42 am

   Sorry to hear of Cletus’s passing. Jim and I remember the unexpected visit we had a few weeks ago in Freeburg at McDonalds; we just sat and talked for a good while. It was nice reminiscing over the years.

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4. Tom Kolditz says:

   03/24/2024 at 10:20 am

   Sorry to hear this. I remember him selling me a set of metric socket wrenches so I could work on my motorcycle in 1972. I still have them. A good friend of my father, he was a wonderful guy.

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   • Angie Stein says:

     03/24/2024 at 8:04 pm

     Cletus was such a joy to be around. He was a great friend to my grandparents and especially my grandma after the passing of my grandpa – in addition to our whole family. Our sincere condolences.

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5. Ruth Ann (Hacker) Hanft says:

   03/24/2024 at 8:39 am

   Peggy, My deepest sympathy to you & your family, what a kind, thoughtful, wonderful man. Always took time to visit with my Mom in the nursing home , which she looked so forward to. Rest in peace Cletus, heaven is blessed with another angel..

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6. Thomas Germann says:

   03/24/2024 at 7:13 am

   So sorry to hear Cletus. My sympathy goes out to the family. A pray God will grant you all peace and strength during this difficult time.

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7. Bill Schreiber Jr. says:

   03/23/2024 at 11:21 pm

   What a fine man! I remember spending time with him at Kaiser Electric when I helped my grandparents at Schreiber’s Tom-Boy as a kid. I was probably a pain in the neck, but he always took time to show me what he was working on and how he was fixing it. I’ll always remember him for that.

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   • Mary Light says:

     03/27/2024 at 10:07 pm

     So sorry to hear of Cletus passing. I’ve been a neighbor for over 45 years,
     He was a very sweet man.
     My condolences to Peggy and family

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8. Sue Ann Werner says:

   03/23/2024 at 9:22 pm

   Sympathy to Peggy and family.

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9. Chiyoko Louise Gussin née Miller says:

   03/23/2024 at 9:02 pm

   I’m so sorry to hear of Cletus’s passing. My condolences to Mrs Tinney and the rest of the family and friends.

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10. Tim and Lisa Modglin says:

    03/23/2024 at 8:33 pm

    We have lived behind Cletus for 30 years. He, and Lela, were great neighbors and Cletus put all of the yards in the neighborhood to shame. He thoroughly enjoyed working in his yard and it showed. Tim and I will surely miss seeing him.

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11. Pam Hammel says:

    03/23/2024 at 8:14 pm

    So sad to hear of his passing. He and Lela were such good neighbors. Always enjoyed talking to him . Rest In Peace Cletus.

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