Paul Joseph Duesterhaus

Paul Joseph Duesterhaus, 91, of Springfield, died at 8:01 a.m. on Sunday, August 19, 2012 at his home. Paul was born on January 30, 1921 in Quincy, the son of Henry and Elizabeth Jansen Duesterhaus. He married Marie Friye on July 11, 1942 in Quincy, IL. She preceded him in death in 1993. He married Beverly Frankville in 1995 and she preceded him in death in 2002. Paul was the youngest of nine children and he worked on the family truck farm. He also worked at his brother's gas station. Paul proudly served as a Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Army in the 30th Infantry Division. He landed on Omaha Beach during WWII in Normandy, France. He was wounded three times and received the Oak Leaf Cluster, which recognizes three Purple Hearts and two Bronze Campaign Stars. After returning from WWII, he started a hardware store in Fowler, IL. He founded Duesterhaus Fertilizer, Inc. in Quincy and operated it for 60 years. Paul was past president of the American Anhydrous Ammonia Institute, a member of St. Francis Solanus Catholic Church, and a 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus #583, both in Quincy. Paul was also engaged in farming various farms in Adams County. He was known for his 50 years of unique farming of the Long Island in the Mississippi River. This required barging equipment to the island and he left half of the grain to conservation. He was also preceded in death by his parents and eight siblings, Ray, Vulmer "Boom", Kelly, Arthur, Lawrence, George, Dorothy, and Helen. He is survived by two sons, Dennis P. (Terri) Duesterhaus of Kingman, AZ and Les (Ceil) Duesterhaus of Quincy; two daughters, Sharon "Sha" Elvidge Kelley of Springfield and Debra (Dennis) Thacker of Elgin, SC; seven grandchildren, Paul Joseph Duesterhaus II of Kingman, AZ, Traci (Craig) Gilbert of Carrollton, Ericka Duesterhaus of Las Vegas, NV, Chad Duesterhaus of Quincy, Cory Duesterhaus of Quincy, Jason (Dr. Margaret McGregor) Elvidge of Auburn, and Jaret Thacker of Atlanta, GA; four great-grandchildren, Bree, Alexis, and J.D. Gilbert and Parker Elvidge; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Memorial Gathering: Family will receive friends from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 23, 2012 at Kirlin-Egan and Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. The memorial gathering will begin with a prayer and eulogy service. Memorial Gathering and Funeral Mass: An additional memorial gathering will be held from 9:30 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. on Friday, August 24, 2012 St. Francis Solanus Church, 1721 College Ave. (17th and College), Quincy, IL 62301. Funeral Mass will begin at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Tom Shaughnessy, OFM celebrant. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Quincy with military honors. Memorial contributions may be made to: Knights of Columbus Council #583, 700 S. 36th St., Quincy, IL 62301 or Honor Flights, 938 W. Montana St., Chicago, IL 60614.