Fredrick John Kurre

It is with a heavy heart that we share the passing of Fredrick (Fred) John Kurre, a loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, cousin, brother‑in‑law, and friend, who left this world on March 25, 2026, at the age of 85.

Born on February 19, 1941 in East St. Louis, Illinois, Fred grew up in Fairmont City, Illinois, where he became a cherished figure to all who knew him. Fred lived life with purpose, passion, and an infectious sense of humor that will be deeply missed by all who crossed his path.

Fred graduated from Holy Rosary Catholic School in Fairmont City, Illinois and Assumption High School in East St. Louis, Illinois. After trying his hand at a few different jobs, he enjoyed a long and dedicated career as a package delivery driver at United Parcel Service (UPS), where everyone on his route appreciated his friendly service and good humor. He also served in the Illinois Army National Guard and, after retiring from UPS, was a delivery driver at Consolidated Ice and served his hometown as an officer with the Fairmont City Police Department.

Fred was the beloved husband of Shirley (Carril) Kurre and their love story truly spanned a lifetime. Married for 63 years, they first met in a hospital nursery; born on opposite sides of midnight at St. Mary’s Hospital in East St. Louis, their mothers shared a hospital room. Their paths crossed again at the age of 12, when Fred, walking home from school, met Shirley as she volunteered as a crossing guard. From that moment on their connection only deepened. They were married on a hot summer day in August 1963, beginning a life filled with shared stories, steady companionship, and a lifetime of laughter. Fred’s devotion to Shirley was evident in the smallest daily gestures, from laying out her medicine and helping her cut fabric for quilting projects to preparing her morning coffee, quiet expressions of the deep affection they carried for one another throughout their marriage.

He was a loving, supportive father and original Girl Dad to Laura Lyn Kurre (Michael O’Heaney) and Jacquelyn Suzanne (Ed) Sheppard, and a proud grandfather of Matthew, Charlotte, and Jocelyn. He never hesitated to fly coast to coast to babysit, celebrate their milestones and special events, cheer from the sidelines at soccer and softball games, or simply enjoy everyday fun with his grandchildren. Being present for them, in the big moments and the small ones, was one of his greatest joys.

Laugh, laugh, laugh; that’s what you did when Fred was around. His dry wit was unmatched, and his natural jocularity never failed to elicit laughs. He loved to give friends and family a nickname, a small but unforgettable way he made you feel special. Fred could tell a story with such conviction that you were never quite sure if it was fact or fiction, and he often joked that you should only believe half of what he said. Many can undoubtedly remember one of these entertaining tales.

A lifelong athlete, Fred’s love for and encyclopedic knowledge of sports began early. He was an outstanding baseball and football player at Assumption High School. He was an original player in, and four time champion of, the Fairmont City Bottle Cap Tournament, a game played with broomsticks and corked bottle caps that he’d played since childhood.

He played softball for many years in a men’s league at the Granby Diamond and took great pride in sharing his love of sports with his daughters, teaching them the value of teamwork and the joy of competition. Fred was a longtime St. Louis Football Cardinals season ticket holder and, later in life, a committed if flawed golfer.

Fred loved to travel and embraced every adventure with family and friends, from a dude ranch in Arizona and the bottom of the Grand Canyon (where he participated in the emergency evacuation of a Girl Scout leader), to Yosemite and Grand Teton National Parks. Many vacations were spent on beaches across the country, where he found happiness in the sun and sand and joy in traveling with the people he loved. He especially cherished playing in the sand with the kids, digging holes with his signature gold‑painted shovel and scooping shells in search of shark teeth along the southwest Florida shoreline.

In 2011, seeking warmer weather, Fred and Shirley retired and relocated to Port Charlotte, Florida, where they enjoyed a new chapter filled with time together and with friends old and new alike. Their Florida home quickly became a place of peace and joy, and Fred welcomed countless visits from family and friends, keeping a picture album to document their time together. His dock became a cherished fishing spot.

Even in retirement, Fred’s meticulous nature never faded. He took great pride in mowing the lawn just right, cutting palm branches, keeping their home in pristine condition, and tending to his beloved plants. His green thumb was legendary, and he delighted in propagating new plants and reviving those on the brink of withering. He was also a notable nature lover and friend to the animal kingdom throughout his life and loved biking and hiking the Cape Haze Trail and watching the turtles, alligators, birds and bobcats that made their home alongside his. He continued his lifelong tradition of reading multiple newspapers every day. Visits to Fred and Shirley’s home were filled with laughter, stories, and the simple joy of being together, a true reflection of the warmth and generosity that defined Fred’s life.

Known for his fun-loving nature and the light he spread so effortlessly, Fred touched the lives of many, whether through his work, faithful acts of charity or simple everyday moments filled with jokes, stories, and kindness. He will be remembered for bringing laughter to every moment and for being a good friend to many — always willing to help out. He made the world brighter for everyone around him.

Fred was preceded in death by his parents, Charlotte “Lottie” (Kowal) Kurre and John Kurre, and his dear aunt to whom he was like a son, Ciocia Mania (Kowal) Grabos.

Fred is survived by his devoted wife, two loving daughters and his three cherished grandchildren. He also leaves behind his cousins, Ken (Cheri) Kowal, Andrea Dierkes, Richard Starr, and Marlene Starr, as well as many nieces, nephews, great‑nieces and nephews, and great‑great‑nephews and nieces. Fred will also be deeply missed by a host of friends who loved him dearly and will forever remember his compassionate heart and infectious humor.

Our hearts are broken; there are just no words to describe how much he will be missed.

At Fred’s request, there will be no funeral service. His family gathered at sunset on his favorite beach, Boca Grande, to remember him and all the special memories. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations honoring Fred’s lifelong generosity and care for others be made to two organizations that are special to our family: Shriners Children’s Pediatric Orthotic and Prosthetic Services (POPS) so that children can meet their full potential and pursue their dreams and the Chad Tough Defeat DIPG Foundation to turn our heartbreak into a cure for children’s brain cancer and support for families navigating a terrible pediatric disease.