Kenneth Jay Wiegand, 81, of Washington, IL, died suddenly at his home Monday, November 14, 2022 from natural causes.

Born on January 26, 1941 at his family home in East Peoria, IL to William Jay and Betty Gapen Wiegand, he married the love of his life, Susan M. Cummings, on October 3, 1959 at St. Patrick Church in Washington. She survives.

Also surviving are 6 children: Ella (Bill) Feeney of Washington, IL, Jenny (Kendrick) Arvin of Morton, IL, Lucy (Rick) Twait of Eureka, IL, Andy (Laura) Wiegand of Washington, IL, Matt (Deb) Wiegand of Metamora, IL, and Sam (Tricia) Wiegand of Washington, IL, 2 sisters, Barb Voll of Glendale Heights, IL, and Marjorie Feucht of Peoria, IL, 1 brother, David Wiegand of Drakesville, IA, 18 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren and several close lifelong friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and 1 sister, Sally DeGrout.

Kenny worked as a heavy equipment operator through Operating Engineers Local #649 from 1959 until he retired in 2008. He was very passionate about his work. Kenny received the Operating Engineer of the Year Award in 2005, worked as an instructor for the Operators Apprenticeship Program for 16 years and served on the Local #649 Executive Board.

He was a lifelong farmer, enjoyed traveling, and was a motorcycle enthusiast, known for his treasured 1978 burnt orange BMW. A devout Catholic, he was baptized at St. Patrick Church in 2008, and continued to study and practice his faith until the time of his death. He was a wonderfully devoted and loving husband to his "Button Pie", and a loving and supportive father to his children and "Baba" to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His warm hugs and kisses will be dearly missed.

A funeral mass will be at 10 am Saturday, November 19, 2022 at St. Mary of Lourdes Church in Germantown Hills, IL. Father Eric Bolek will officiate. Visitation will be from 5-8 pm on Friday, November 18, 2022 at Deiters Funeral Home and Crematory in Washington, where recitation of the Rosary will be at 8 pm. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Blvd. Staten Island, NY 10306.