Michael William Rentschler

September 26, 1944 - March 14, 2019

Michael William Rentschler, age 74 of Cooks Mills, IL passed away at 6:53 P.M. Thursday, March 14, 2019 at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, IL. A funeral mass in his honor will be celebrated at 10:00 A.M., Monday, March 18, 2019 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 320 N. 21st Street, Mattoon, IL 61938. A graveside committal service will immediately follow in Calvary Cemetery. A Biblical Wake service will be held at 4:45 P.M. Sunday evening, March 17, 2019 at Mitchell-Jerdan Funeral Home, 1200 Wabash Avenue, Mattoon, IL. The family will receive friends from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. at the funeral home. Michael was born on September 26, 1944 in Pasco, WA the son of Frank E. and Virginia M. (Eder) Rentschler. He married Verda Chupp Kestner on November 10, 1984 in Cooks Mills, IL. He is survived by his loving wife Verda Rentschler of Cooks Mills, IL; four children, Monica N. Thomas of Hindsboro, IL, Kristina Inman and husband Frank of Urbana, IL, James L. Kestner and wife Tami of Hugo, IL, Darren S. Kestner and special friend Tina of Villa Grove, IL; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; two brothers, Timothy L. Rentschler and wife Tammy of Cooks Mills, IL, James P. “Pat” Rentschler and wife Cathy of Harristown, IL; two sisters, Mary S. Huckstead of Neoga, IL, and Jeannie E. Gross and husband Wayne of Lerna, IL. He is preceded in death by one brother, Frank Rentschler, and one sister, Colletta Lue Dougherty. Michael retired from USI where he was employed for many years. He was a devout member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Mattoon, IL and Knights of Columbus. He was a former member of Quails Unlimited, and proud member of Coles County Farm Bureau and National Rifle Association (NRA). He had an impressive collection of knives and guns. Michael loved the wilderness and spent much of his time hunting and fishing at his Farina Farm Camp. He was a WWI and WWII history enthusiast and was always eager to discover new information through his research. Michael was a family man; he loved his wife, children, and grandchildren. He was a constant fixture in their lives and his presence will be truly missed but his memory will live on through them. Memorials in his honor may be made to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.