ILLMAN, Kenneth Edwin ‘CRUNCH!’ Illman Obituary

ILLMAN, Kenneth Edwin ‘CRUNCH!’ – After a hard fight, Ken lost his battle on September 16, 2015 at the age of 68 with his family by his side.

Ken was born April 12th, 1947 in Listowel, Ontario to parents Everett and Edith Illman, now deceased.He grew up in Monkton, Ontario with his brother Brian Illman (London – predeceased 2013), sister Pat (Bob) Bower (Burlington), Bruce Illman (Lloydminster, Alberta), and Derek (Rhonda Lee) Illman (London). Also survived by brother in law Roger Brown (Pat) and many nieces and nephews.

Ken went onto the University of Western Ontario and studied Science. He and his wife Ruth (nee Brown) married and both started their teaching careers in Forest, Ontario at North Lambton Secondary School. He and Ruth had two children, Tammy (Stan) Kwarciak (Grand Bend, Ontario), Adam (Jana-Rae) Illman (Kenora, Ontario). He was a proud grandparent of Mark (Dyman) and Danielle Kwarciak, Alex and Amelia Illman, all of whom are very sad at this time.

Ken taught Physical Education at NLSS for 32 years. At school he was known as Crunch and he coached many students over the years in all sports programs. Coaching was his passion and he spent evenings and weekends each school year doing what he loved. Upon retirement in 2000, he continued to teach and coach for seven years until lung cancer precipitated a change.

In 2009 Ken moved to Kenora, Ontario to spend time with his son Adam’s family in picturesque northwestern Ontario. Ken always loved his hunting and fishing and trips to the French River, Ontario with his family and then later treasured the beauty of the northwest. He was an avid hunter who also taught hunter safety for 30 years. Many of these students would accompany him on various expeditions. While in Kenora, Ken lived in a new home built for Ruth and him, situated high on a rock face over the Winnipeg River and nestled amongst the pine trees. Here he would boat and fish often with his younger grandchildren.

In Ken’s last few years his health declined significantly and he had many hospital stays. Ken was flown back to Forest after a month stay at the Kenora Lake of the Woods District Hospital via Air Ambulance on August 31st, 2015. He resided at the North Lambton Lodge in Forest for just over one week. In his short stay, he got to see and to say hello to many familiar faces until he again was taken to Strathroy Hospital.  In these final days he was cared for by two of the finest nurses, his daughter Tammy and granddaughter Danielle.

Ken loved his students and NLSS. We are sure he is in the gymnasium now doing what he loved. The Ministry of Natural Resources will now have to determine how to control the goose and deer populations!

The family would like to thank the excellent medical staff of Kenora Lake of the Woods District Hospital, Strathroy Hospital, and University Hospital – London, who provided care to Ken.

In addition we thank the many Kenora services : Kenora Community Support, the staff of Pinecrest Club Day Away, homecare support personnel and the Northwest CCAC. We especially thank Doctor Sven “Buzz” Pedersen who was Ken’s Doctor for six years in Kenora.

Donations in Ken’s memory can be made to the Lake of the Woods District Hospital Foundation, the North Lambton Secondary School (directly to the school with reference to memorial donation), or a local charity of choice.

It was Ken’s wish for his grandson Mark and his wife Dyman to finish Medical School and as such a Celebration of Life will be held at the Forest Legion on Monday, October 12th from 1:00-4:00 with “Sharing of Stories” at 3:00 pm. 

WindsorObituaries.com

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