Dale G. Papenberg

Dale G. Papenberg, 86, of Hecker, IL, died October 2, 2026 in St. Louis, MO. He was born May 24, 1940 in Belleville, IL to Victor and Elizabeth “Bessie” (nee Parker) Papenberg.

Dale attended Saint Augustine of Canterbury Grade School in Hecker and Saints Peter and Paul Catholic High School in Waterloo, where he met and fell in love with Lois Ann Kohler. They married on June 3, 1961, and built a life together on the farm in Hecker, raising their five children. Dale tended the farm and cared for its soil as his father had before him and his son Todd does today. More than a livelihood for three generations, the farm became a cherished gathering place for their children and grandchildren. Dale and Lois shared 62 years of marriage before her passing on Christmas Day 2023. Dale took great pride in being a Gibault Hawk dad to his five children and a Gibault Hawk, Waterloo Bulldog, and Immaculate Conception Crusader grandpa to his eight grandchildren. Many were fortunate to know him as a son, brother, uncle, godfather, cousin, and friend; a few were especially blessed to call him husband, dad, and grandpa. Dale will be missed by everyone who knew him—except, perhaps, every referee or umpire who ever officiated one of his children’s or grandchildren’s games.

Community service defined Dale’s life. If something was happening in Hecker, he was likely involved. He was a faithful and active member of St. Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. Over many decades, he served in numerous roles with the Hecker Community Center, Hecker Sportsman Club, Hecker Fire Department, Monroe County Farm Bureau, Monroe County Pork Producers, and Monroe County Regional Planning Commission. If you enjoyed the fried chicken at the Heckerdome, chances are Dale prepared it.

Dale is survived by his son Todd, his wife, Kim, and their children, Chasity (Brandon) Harrison and Josh; his son Brad, his wife, Claudia, and their children, Caralyn and Kelly; his son Jay, his wife, Jami, and their children, Claire and Caleb; his daughter Jill and her husband, Tim Huebner; his son Mark, his wife, Jayci, and their children, Jax and Nash; his great-granddaughter, Savannah Harrison; his brother-in-law, Franklin Kohler; his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Richard and Dorothy Kohler; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Dale was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Edward and Helen Kohler; his stepmother, Fern Papenberg, nee Crook; his sister, Jane French, and her husband, Carl; his sisters-in-law, Helen Kohler and Phyllis Kohler; his niece, Kathy Baxmeyer and her son, Kadin.

As an expression of sympathy, the family prefers memorial contributions to:
Gibault Catholic High School
or St. Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Church

Visitation:
4 PM to 8 PM Tuesday, October 6, 2026 at Quernheim Funeral Home in Waterloo, IL
9 AM to 10:30 AM Wednesday, October 7, 2026 at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Hecker, IL

Funeral Mass:
10:30 AM Wednesday, October 7, 2026 at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Hecker, IL
      Father Linus Umoren, Officiating
Interment will follow at St. Augustine Cemetery, Hecker, IL