Kenneth Leroy Foust

Kenneth was born on July 16, 1935, in Pine Lake, Wisconsin. He was the seventh child of nine born to Oliver and Ruby Foust. As a young boy, Kenneth preferred sports to school. He especially loved basketball, which he played for his high school, Prairie Farm. After high school Kenneth enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving in peacetime Germany as a medic for several years. There he became involved with Campus Crusade for Christ and committed his life to following God at age 20. After that, as Ken liked to say, “everything was different.” He came home to the States and went to college on the G.I. bill, eventually earning his master’s degree in teaching. In 1963, Ken married Patricia Walker, with whom he had three children. After her death in 1980, Ken married Gale Willson Montrose, to whom he was married for 43 years.

Ken taught middle school math and science for 35 years in Carpentersville, IL, in addition to coaching basketball. Throughout his life, Ken served Christ faithfully. For many years, he was a camp counselor at Lake Geneva Youth Camp and the Sunday school superintendent at Park Manor Bible Chapel in Elgin. Later, at Willow Creek Community Church, he helped found the Special Friends Ministry for people with disabilities and served faithfully with this group for many years.

On Sunday, March 2, Ken passed away at the age of 89 at St. Alexian Brothers Hospital in Hoffman Estates, IL, after a few months of declining health and at-home care.

Ken loved basketball, fishing, and the Chicago Cubs; clowns, American history, and breakfast food; he loved road trips, gospel music and reading his Bible. His greatest and most lasting loves were those for his family and God.

Kenneth is survived by his beloved wife of 43 years, Gale; his children, Lisa(Todd), David(Hiona) and Jennifer(Philip); his stepchildren,Tim(Debbie), Susan(Doug),Ted(Dayna), and Sharon(Carl); his grandchildren Michael, Sarah, Matthew Wanta; Rhyana Steffen and Janelle (Steffen) Stelter; Sabrina and Logan Montrose; Jenna and Joshua Stitt; Bethany and Shannyn Montrose; Lorena Montrose, Malisa (Hartman) LaPlante; a step-grandson, Tripp Turchik, great-grandchildren Zaid and Veda Diaz; Tobias LaPlante. He is also survived by his sister, Rachel (Foust) Smith and a sister-in-law, Grace Clift.

Services for Kenneth will be held at the Chapel Hill Gardens West Funeral Home & Cemetery, 17W201 Roosevelt Road, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181 on Saturday, March 15. Visitation will be at 11:00 AM with a service and burial to follow at 12:00 PM. Donations can be made to Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, or to the Special Friends Ministry at Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, IL.

“Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Lord. ” Matthew 26:23