Tom Kuenstler, 89, of Grafton, Illinois passed away at his residence Friday morning, October 5, 2018. Thomas was born in Noble, IL on February 13, 1929, son of Frank and Francis (Deimel) Kuenstler. He attended local schools, graduating from Olney High School, Class of 1946 before serving proudly in the US Army during Korea. On September 12, 1953 he was united in marriage with LaVerne Zahn at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Milwaukee.

Tom was employed as a manager for A&P Foods, and the couple moved around the state as he took on different stores to manage. They settled in Grafton in 1979 where they owned and operated T&L Foods until 1993. Mr. Kuenstler was a member of St. Joseph Parish in Grafton and Rose Harms American Legion Post 355. He enjoyed golf in his spare time and was quite proud of his yard and flower gardens.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years LaVerne, three daughters Gail (Leo) Dondlinger of Auburn, WA, Peggy Gaulke of Grafton and Mary Ellen (David) Kent of Hancock, MI, and four sons: David (Kathy) of Manitowoc, Jeffrey (Janice) of Rome, WI and twins Robert (Salley) of Jackson and Ronald (Julie) Kuenstler of Saukville. He is further survived by 16 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, sister-in-law Mary Jane Kuenstler of Olney, IL, brothers-in-law Louis Filo of Menomonee Falls and Charles VanThiel of Kenosha, nieces, nephews, other family and friends.

He is preceded in death by son-in-law AJ Kent, sister Dorothy (the late Oscar) Rubson, brothers Gerald and John (the late Ann) Kuenstler, and infant brothers Victor and Vincent, sisters-in-law Gloria VanThiel of Kenosha and Gerry Filo, brother-in-law Ray (the late Kathleen) Zahn.

Mass of Christian Burial at St. Joseph Parish, Grafton. Tom will be laid to rest the following day with military honors at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. .

Olney Daily Mail (IL) obituary & photo – October 8, 2018