Andrew Roger Kendall, Sr.

The Cubs number one fan, Andrew Roger Kendall, Sr., (Chatham, IL) died on May 25, 2025, at 12:15 p.m. at Springfield Memorial Hospital surrounded by family. A true Cubs fan, he was born at Cook County Hospital, Chicago, IL on September 10, 1935, to Margaret Donnelly Kendall and Andrew Americus Kendall. Roger had three beautiful sisters, Audrey Price (deceased), Mary Lou Green (Springfield, IL), and Marge Landers (Springfield, IL), and one younger brother he was charged with keeping in line, James Kendall (deceased). His claim to fame was being in a gang on Stoney Island in Chicago at the age of 6, until his mother found out. His potential life of crime spurred the family to move to Auburn, IL, where Roger learned to love school. His part time job was setting pins at the local bowling alley where he learned to love the sport. When he graduated, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, along with four of his friends, Earl Eliason, Tom Handy, Eldon (Bud) Grossner, and Roy Swain. All are deceased.

He married June Dudley (deceased) in his best dress blues. They had four children, Brenda (James) Howard of Ft. Myers Beach, FL, Linda (Bob Woodrum) Miner of Chatham, IL, Andrew Roger (Denise) Kendall, Jr. of Pawnee, IL, and Sharon (Rob) Kendall Sattler, both deceased. His eight grandchildren are Nicholas (Shannon) Miner of Champaign, IL, Jennifer (Nick Loher) Miner Duke of Eagan, MN, Robert Howard, Sarah (Matt) Howard Lorenson, Jeremy Kendall all of Springfield, IL, Mariah (Zack Pallante) Kendall of Auburn, IL, Max Sattler, and Blake (Tierre Orear) Sattler both of Chatham, IL. His eight great-grandchildren are Tanner Miner of White Bear Lake, MN, Bret and Oliver Miner of Champaign, IL, Kearstin, Caylee, and Phoenix Duke of Eagan, MN, and Kingston and Kane Kendall of New Berlin, IL.

Roger is survived by his wife Karen Kabat Kendall of Chatham, IL; Max and Blake Sattler of Chatham, IL; his sisters; sister-in-law, Kay Kendall of Auburn, IL; and special cousin, Roberta Lundquist of Powell, TN.

Roger and Karen raised Blake and Max Sattler after their parents died three months apart. He loved watching Max’s wrestling meets and Blake’s concerts when they were in High School. He was especially proud of Max and Blake when they were altar servers. When Fr. John Nolan asked them for additional service because someone failed to show, they never hesitated.

Roger graduated from Western Illinois University in Macomb with a B.S. in Education. He graduated from Sangamon State, now UIS, with a master's degree in educational administration. He taught high school for 38 years and was still sane. He taught Business at Riverton High School, and taught Driver's Education both classroom and (hazard pay) Behind the Wheel and was an assistant Football Coach and Track Coach at Springfield High School. He also taught Driver's Education at Springfield and Southeast High School. He loved watching his children and grandchildren play sports.

His hobbies were watching the Cubs, of course, playing tennis, playing poker, league bowling, watching documentaries on UFO’s and Big Foot, and talking on speaker phone with his special cousin, James McGuire, who predeceased him. His greatest challenge was a trip he took in the 90s to the Northwest with a former student, Denny Rogers, who was a professor at ISU. They camped, hiked, and interviewed Native Americans on Big Foot sightings and documented habits. Karen stayed home in Farmersville biting her nails and praying he didn’t become a Big Foot snack!

Roger’s goal at 89 was to make it to 90, but lung cancer and the Lord had other plans. On his birthday, raise a glass and wish him a Happy Birthday in Heaven.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at Butler Funeral Home-Chatham, 8855 State Rte. 4, Chatham, IL. Chicago Cubs’ attire welcomed but not required.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, with Fr. Joseph Molloy officiating.

An additional visitation will start at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church, 700 E. Spruce St., Chatham, IL.

Burial will follow at Chatham Memorial Cemetery with full military honors.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Blvd., Staten Island, NY 10306, Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675-8516, or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.