Ralph H. Kinzinger, 92, of Freeburg, IL, formerly of New Athens, IL, born October 19, 1929, in New Athens TWP, passed away peacefully in the early morning Tuesday April 5, 2022.  Mr. Kinzinger was a U.S. Army veteran.  He was a lifelong farmer and also worked at TWA for 30 years. He was a member of St. John United Church of Christ in New Athens, where he began attending Sunday school from childhood onward, was a high school Sunday school teacher for many years, was a member of the church board and had served as president and was on the committee who built the educational building. Additionally, he was a member of the National Farmers Organization (NFO), 4H leader and member for many years, Sanitation Milk Producers Regional Board member, St. Clair County Dairy Herd Improvement Association member for many years and a St. Clair County Soil Conservation Board member for 6 years.

Mr. Kinzinger was preceded in death by his parents – Rolland and Clara (Sturm) Kinzinger, his beloved wife – the former Vera Hofmeister, whom he married in New Athens in 1953 and who passed away on September 12, 2020, two brothers – LaVerne and Norman Kinzinger and his sister – Loretta Hammond.

Ralph is survived by his children – daughter; Rita (Neil) LaVanchy of Cape Girardeau, MO, Rita’s daughter; Megan (Landrew) Woolworth and their children; Emmaline and Adelaine, Rita’s daughter; Monica (Aaron) Smith and their son – Roland Smith, and Rita’s son; Micah (Amelia) LaVanchy and their daughter Eliza, son; Randy (Brenda) Kinzinger of New Athens and their children; Ryan (Jamie) Kinzinger and children; Reed and Rhen, and Randy and Brenda’s other children; Rachel Kinzinger, Renee (Rhett) Stolte and Riley Kinzinger, daughter; Ruth Schneider of Freeburg and her two daughters; Cassie (Joshua) Bradley and Jessica (Sebastian) Rollen, daughter; Rhonda (John) Morse of Belleville, son; Russell (Angie) Kinzinger of Freeburg and their children; Erin (Taylor) Wylie and their sons Joel and Miles and their other children; Audrey, Lauren, Caleb, Samuel, Joshua, Jeremy and Jason Kinzinger; son; Rodney (Cindy) Kinzinger of Smithton, IL and their daughter Jennifer (Brett) Mueth and their children; Allicyn, Evan and Owen son; Michael (Rachel) Frede and their children; Jackson, Ellie and Leo; Daughter; Michelle Kinzinger, daughter Nicole Kinzinger and son Nathan Kinzinger.  Ralph is also survived by his brother – Cletus Kinzinger of New Athens.

Memorials may be made to St. John United Church of Christ in New Athens, IL.

Visitation: Friends and family will be gathering from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday April 8, 2022, and again from 10 to 11 a.m, on Saturday April 9, 2022, at St. John United Church of Christ in New Athens.

Funeral: Services will be held at 11 a.m, on Saturday April 9, 2022, at St. John United Church of Christ in New Athens with Rev. Dr. Robert Koch officiating.   Interment will follow at Valhalla Gardens of Memory in Belleville, IL.

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

1. Don Louis says:

   04/12/2022 at 2:54 pm

   I am so sorry for your family’s loss. I know Ruth from swing dancing. I know your family from my Uncle George Louis. My dad was Clarence and we farmed west of Smithton. Again, I am sorry to hear of his passing. Don

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2. Susan (May) Borg says:

   04/10/2022 at 1:39 pm

   Thinking of your family during this time. May you give each other comfort and share happy memories. I value the life-long friendship of the Kinzinger family. Your Mom and Dad meant so much to my parents — and it was a special time all of us growing up together in New Athens. May God bless your family.

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3. Kevin Kammermeyer says:

   04/09/2022 at 10:05 am

   My thoughts and prayers go out to the Kinzinger family. Ralph was a pillar to our church and to the community in whole. He was truly someone to look up too. Such a role model. God Bless.

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4. Jim &Pam Ha.mel says:

   04/08/2022 at 5:30 am

   Our sympathy to the whole family. May he Rest In Peace.

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5. Colleen Sauerwein & Debbie says:

   04/08/2022 at 5:06 am

   Condolence to the entire Kinzinger family. Great neighbors back in the day. Will be missed by many.

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6. Mary Light says:

   04/07/2022 at 9:16 pm

   My sincere sympathy to the Kinzinger family. Especially my neighbor Rachel and her brother Ryan and uncle Cletus. May you all find peace in your memories of your loved one.

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7. Chiyoko Louise Gussin née Miller says:

   04/07/2022 at 8:40 pm

   So sorry for your loss. My condolences to the many family members and many friends.

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8. Lori Schneider says:

   04/07/2022 at 7:53 pm

   My sincere sympathy to the Kinzinger family. May your memories and your faith bring you comfort.

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9. Shirley May says:

   04/07/2022 at 7:44 pm

   Ralph and Vera were like a brother and sister to Tom and I. We shared both the good and hard times together. We were blessed to have their friendship. I pray that each of the Kinzinger family will find peace and comfort in their precious memories of them.

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10. Mark Stehl says:

    04/06/2022 at 7:51 pm

    So sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Kinzinger family and their friends during this difficult time. 🙏🏻

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11. Susie and Keith Owen says:

    04/06/2022 at 1:20 pm

    Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Kinzinger family.

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12. Rosanne Hettenhausen says:

    04/06/2022 at 10:27 am

    My deepest sympathy to all of the family. He leaves a great legacy. May he Rest In Peace.

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13. Laurie Watkins says:

    04/05/2022 at 10:21 pm

    What a delightful duo – Vera and Ralph! I’ll never forget sharing their story in the Tribune! – What a legacy of love! So sorry for his passing, but delighted in the heavenly reunion…perhaps in a movie theater…. I send love and prayers to everyone in this wonderful family. God bless you as you say goodbye and walk this journey.

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14. Mary Haislip says:

    04/05/2022 at 8:01 pm

    My sincerest condolences to you all, praying for peace and comfort…knowing he’s with Aunt Vera and the rest of the family along with mom is heart warming. Love you all!

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