Frank E. Kingen

Frank E. Kingen, 84, of Princeville Illinois, formerly Sparland, died on November 20, 2022 at UnityPoint Proctor in Peoria. Born on September 7, 1938 to the late James “Ab” and Margaret “Jigs” (Smith) Kingen, he married Ethel “Effie” Davis on July 4, 1959 in Sparland. Effie died on August 7, 1993.

Frank worked maintenance at BF Goodrich in Henry Illinois for over 25 years. After retirement he worked maintenance Heritage Manor in Chillicothe and few other odd jobs here and there.

Frank is survived by his companion of the last 20 years Earline Medearis of Princeville; daughter Julie (Jason) Scherer of Sparland; sons Brian (Amber) Kingen of Sparland, Tadd (Roberta) Kingen of Lacon; grandchildren Christopher (Karlee) Wigand of Hopewell, Brianna (Christopher) Gibbs of Chillicothe, Brooke (Jon Pesha) Wigand of Manito, Audrey (Todd) Rodney of CA, Blake Kingen of Sparland, Travis Kingen of Lacon.  Earline’s family: Pam Snyder of Peoria Heights, Betty Jo Broadway of Lacon, Michelle (Brian) Woodie of Bloomington, Jennifer (Corey) Hart of Toulon, Amanda (Jerry) Poole of Mattoon, with 21 great grandchildren between he and Earlene. He was preceded by his brothers Jack, Kenneth “Toonie”, Wayne, Infant Bobby Joe and his grandson Josh Kingen.

Frank was a man of many talents, baking many cookies and fudges, especially Christmas cookies. He played softball in the 70s on the Duck Inn and Red Fox teams. He loved bingo almost every night of the week with Effie when they were married and camping and fishing trips with family. Trips to Branson and karaoke were things that he enjoyed with Earline. Frank liked woodworking, especially making morel mushrooms out of wood. His favorite people to watch on TV or in movies were Clint Eastwood, John Wayne and Bob Ross. Grandkids did not like calling out of school sick because they would stay with Frank for the day and he would make them watch Bob.