PAID

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HERRIN, Ill. -- Kenneth Irl Beltz, 70, of Herrin passed away Friday, May 26, 2006, at his residence.

Mr. Beltz was a retired truck driver, having worked for Southern Express in Cape Girardeau, Saturn in Carroll Stream, Ill., Womack and the city of Herrin.

He was of the Christian faith, a member of Herrin Elks Lodge 1146, and was chairman of Illinois Elks Crippled Children's Foundation. In 2001 he was named the Illinois Elk of the Year. When he accepted his award, Kenneth was quoted as saying "No man stands so tall as when he stoops low to help a crippled child." He was also a veteran of the Korean Conflict, having served in the U.S. Marines and U.S. Army.

He was born Dec. 22, 1935, in Energy, Ill., to Kenneth Kennedy and Florence Jane Tolbert Beltz.

Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Jeffery and Laura Beltz of Oak Ridge; three grandchildren and their spouses, Kara Michelle and Keith Cantwell of Noblesville, Ind., Jeffery Ryan and Jennie Beltz of Jackson, Ashley Nicole and Chad Schuessler of Fruitland; four sisters and a brother-in-law, Joyce Beltz of Carterville, Ill., Verna "Bunny" Benham of Herrin, Judy and Bud Hampton of Energy, Peggy Denison of Herrin; several nieces and nephews, Michael and Amy Schubert, Jamie and Lisa Schubert, all of Elgin, Ill., Mark and Alison Schubert of Easley, S. C., Suzi Denison and Royal Tipton of Anaheim, Calif., Michael Denison of Herrin, Bryan Beltz of Herrin, Christopher Beltz of Herrin, Scott and Lori Whitson of Gardner, Kan., Gena Whitson and Brian Owen of Arlington Heights, Ill.; several great-nieces and nephews, Abigal Jane Owen and Jake Owen of Arlington Heights, Brailyn Whitson and Scott Earl Whitson of Gardner, Tyler Schubert, Kyle Schubert and Rayanne Schubert of Elgin, and Abigail Schubert of Easley.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and his wife, Alma Beltz.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at Meredith-Waddell Funeral Home in Herrin. An Elks 11th Hour ceremony will be held at 1:30 p.m.

Service will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home, with the Rev. J.K. Tiffin officiating. Interment will be in East Lawn Memorial Gardens in Energy, with military graveside rites conducted by Herrin American Legion Post 645 and Baker-Ladd VFW Post 1567.

Memorials may be made to Illinois Crippled Children's Foundation or to Hospice of Southern Illinois.

The family would like to say a very special thank you to the Illinois Elks for their kindness and support, and to Pam with Hospice of Southern Illinois.