Rodney Eugene Schimpf

IN MEMORY OF: Rodney Eugene Schimpf Serving Location: CRAIN PLEASANT GROVE-MURDALE FUNERAL HOME 31 Memorial Drive, Murphysboro, Illinois Rodney (Rod) Eugene Schimpf, age 78, of Carbondale, Illinois, died peacefully with his loved ones at his side on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024 at his home. He was born on April 9, 1946 to Harold and Mary (Held) Schimpf in Murphysboro, Illinois. He was later united in marriage to Kathryn (Kathy) Hartsock on May 30, 1987. Rod was involved and active in many professional organizations including Southern Illinois Builders Association (SIBA) where he served as President from 2010-2011 and Cobden American Legion Post 259. Rod owned and operated Schimpf Construction until his “retirement” in 2022. Schimpf Construction built many well-known structures throughout Carbondale, Southern Illinois, and the St. Louis Region. Rod served his country in the U.S. Air Force from Dec. 1965 – Dec 1969. He was stationed at Malmstrom Air Force Base as a Rocket Engineer helping to load Minutemen missiles into their silos. He was proud of his time in the military and had many great stories to share of his service and the friendships he made. Rod loved fishing, riding and tending his horses, playing cards, travelling, and playing golf but he loved being surrounded by his family most of all. He never knew a stranger and could talk to anyone for hours as if had known them for years. As a teenager, Rod took a Murphysboro police car on an unauthorized “test drive”; he swore his kids to secrecy so his father would not find out even when his father was in his eighties. Now the whole world knows, but they cannot prosecute him after all these years. He is survived by his wife, Kathy; three children, Dan Schimpf (Andrea) of St. Louis, MO, Darren Hartsock (Lauren) of Celina, TX, and Wendy Neal (Mike) of Belleville, IL; Fifteen grandchildren, Bryan Throgmorton of Belleville, IL, Makenzie Frazier (Jeremy) of Smiths Station, AL, Ashleigh Turner (Chris) of Hendrix, OK, Brooke Foskey (Ladd) of Van Alstyne, TX, Scott Throgmorton of Belleville, IL, Erin Schimpf of St. Louis, MO, Grace, Jessica, and Michael Ratermann of St. Louis, MO, Katelyn, Janie, William, and Harley Harbour of Frisco, TX, Katie and Daniel Neal (Kenzie) of Belleville, IL; Eight great-grandchildren, Gunnar, Wyatt, Eli, and Calla of Smiths Stations, AL, Aidan, Colten, and Jackson Turner of Hendrix, OK, Cory Neal of Belleville, IL; and many friends. He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Kenneth Schimpf; daughter, Laurie Hartsock Homan Gibbs and her husband, Scott Gibbs; and grandchild, Madilyn Homan. Don’t worry Dad, we shuffled the papers in the office for you and left a glass of water on the pool table. Visitation will be held Friday, October 25, 2024 from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at Crain Pleasant Grove – Murdale Funeral Home. Funeral Mass for Rodney Eugene Schimpf will be Saturday, October 26, 2024 at 11:00 AM at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Murphysboro with Father Nick Fleming officiating. Interment will follow the funeral service at St. Andrews Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Camp Ondessonk and/or the Children’s Advocacy Center of Williamson and Franklin County. Crain Pleasant Grove – Murdale Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Rodney Eugene Schimpf

April 9, 1946 - October 17, 2024