Joseph Rench
Greenville |
Joseph La Verne Rench, age 84, of rural Greenville, passed away peacefully at home on December 14, 2024, surrounded by family.
Joe was born October 5, 1940, in Smithboro, Illinois, the son of Homer J. and Irene (McCasland) Rench. He married Sabra Jane Elmore in 1959 and they had two sons, Russ and Tony. He later married Rhonda Rose (Kimbro) Schellenger in 1989, where he gained a stepson, Mark, and had two children of their own, Josh and Ashley.
Joe graduated from Mulberry Grove High School in 1958. He worked at Bass Mollett Publishing while in high school, and continued after graduation as their first full-time employee. In 1963 Joe started working in construction and became a skilled concrete finisher. Around that time, he also partnered with Dean Delay to operate a vegetable farm and greenhouse, continuing for several years after Dean’s retirement.
In 1971, he established J. L. Rench Concrete Construction, later joined by his cousin Bill Rench. Joe also worked as a backhoe owner/operator in the 1990s. More recently, Rhonda and Joe operated convenience stores in Donnellson, JR’s Mini Mart, and, later, Millersburg, Millersburg General Store.
While this was partly business, it was also an operation of passion. Joe and his wife, Rhonda, worked together as a team for many years in ways that many couples cannot, and through this adventure they gained many irreplaceable and life-long friends. Joe began hosting bluegrass jam sessions at their businesses and always looked forward to spending those days around good food, good music, and most importantly, good people.
Over the decades, Joe had many hobbies. He was a trap shooter and a private pilot, an avid gardener, and an occasional hunter. Rhonda and Joe were enthusiastic snowmobilers for several years. They enjoyed spontaneous road trips and favored taking the back roads, always enjoying the journey just as much as the destination.
Joe had a passion for country and bluegrass music, as a fan and sometimes as a player. He was a man of many stories, and always had an anecdote (some ornerier than others) to fit the occasion. When not working, you could often find him beside the bonfire with a cold beer or homemade wine, with an extra chair and glass for you.
However, Joe’s real passion was his family, leading by example, instilling values and traditions. In his life, he taught us all to enjoy the moment we are in and that laughter can cure a lot of problems. In his own way, he was a very giving man and was able to lend a helping hand to a lot of people throughout the years. He survived tragedy and injuries as a child and faced every challenge in life with admirable strength and dignity.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Homer and Irene Rench; sisters, Connie Rench and Norma Belt; infant daughter, Christine Rench; brother-in-law Richard Moore; niece Jodi Moore; and nephew Richard Belt.
He is survived by his wife Rhonda; sons Russell (Diana) Rench, Joseph Anthony “TR” (Heidi Smith) Rench, and Joshua (Molly) Rench; stepson Mark (Julia) Schellenger; daughter Ashley (Eric) Drake; sister Karen Simpson; grandchildren Kristy (Harold) File, Tiffany (Chad Steinmeyer) Rench, Allan (Megan Knezik) Schellenger, Carigan (Jon Grote) Schellenger, Kaitlyn (Dustin Cox) Rench, Blaize Schellenger, Timothy Eaton, Dayne Schellenger, Zayne Schellenger, and the three littlest ones he has been able to enjoy in his last few years Magnolia Drake, Emmett Rench, and Ellis Rench; great-grandchildren Lennon Meyer, Rowan Steinmeyer, Harper Schellenger, Tyler Schellenger, Fennec Steinmeyer, and Harvey Schellenger; nephews Mike (Tina) Moore, David (Micki) Belt; niece Rebecca (Dennis) Belt-Hammer; and several cherished great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and friends.
Joe was a devoted son, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. He will always be remembered by the friendship he brought to every occasion, the stories that could fill a room with laughter, and the love and wisdom he instilled in family and friends. He will be dearly missed by all, and we look forward to seeing him again someday.
Funeral 11 a.m. Friday, December 20, 2024, at the Donnell–Wiegand Funeral Home in Greenville. Rev. Tom Plog will officiate. Interment will follow in Maxey Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Thursday from 4-7 p.m. at the Donnell–Wiegand Funeral Home in Greenville. Supporting and helping children was important to Joe, memorials are being made to the Bond County Law Enforcement Association who provides Christmas to over 30 kids each year in Bond County thru Shop with a Cop.
To share a memory, picture, or leave a condolence visit www.donnellwiegand.com.
Donnell-Wiegand Funeral Home
