William J. "Bill" Althoff (83) of Effingham

William J. “Bill” Althoff Jr., 83 of Effingham, formerly of the Lillyville area, passed away at 3:30 p.m. Monday, March 25, 2019 at HSHS St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital in Effingham.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, March 29 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Effingham with burial in St. Anthony Cemetery with military graveside rites. A Knights of Columbus Rosary and Fourth Degree Service will be held at 4:00 p.m. Thursday evening at the church followed by visitation until 7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, Bill’s family requests that memorial donations may be given to Community Support Systems in Teutopolis. Arrangements are in care of Bauer Funeral Home in Effingham.

Bill was born on November 8, 1935 in Lillyville, the son of William and Cecelia (Swingler) Althoff. Bill joined the Navy in October 1954. He married Mary Louise Ruholl on December 29, 1956 at Sacred Heart Church in Lillyville. With his bride, they moved to California and Bill was honorably discharged after 4 years of service in the Navy. Upon returning to Illinois, they built a home in Lillyville and Bill worked at Fedders for many years. He then worked at Effingham Animal Health Center with his son until he retired in 2017. Bill enjoyed camping, playing cards, gardening and visiting with family and friends. He was very involved in the Knights of Columbus serving as Grand Knight and many other offices. He assisted in military funerals and was inducted into the Knights of Columbus Hall of Fame. He and Mary worked the Knights of Columbus Bingo for many years. Bill was a member of the American Legion for 55 years. Bill Althoff’s family was awarded “Family of the Year” in 2015 at Community Support Systems, formerly ARC. CSS always held a special place in his heart because of his son, Thad.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Louise; sons, Del (Diana) Althoff of Teutopolis and Thad Althoff of Effingham; three grandchildren, Danielle (Trevor) Faber, DeeDee Althoff (fiancé, Austin Hunsaker), Lee Althoff (fiancé, Kelly Pitcher) and three beautiful great-granddaughters; sisters, Matilda Schmidt, Esther Worman and sister-in-law, Norma Althoff.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Albert, Carl, Walter, Harold and sisters, Mary Ann Mette and Helen Althoff.