Robert E. Kallal, 84

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Robert "Bob" E. Kallal, 84, of Bethalto, died peacefully on Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, at 6:45 a.m., at his home surrounded by his family.

Visitation was held on Monday, Jan. 17, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Elias, Kallal and Schaaf Funeral Home in Bethalto. Mass will be on Tuesday, Jan. 18, at 10 a.m., at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, with Father Tom Liebler as celebrant. Burial will follow at Rose Lawn Memory Gardens in Bethalto.

Mr. Kallal was born on Jan. 19, 1937, in Fidelity, the son of Eugene and Anna Helen (Collins) Kallal. He married Doneeta L. Nicholson at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Brighton, on July 2, 1971, and she survives.

A member of the last graduating class from Medora High School, he is a veteran of the United States Army Reserves. He attended Shurtleff College in Alton, and graduated with a master's degree from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. Mr. Kallal taught school for 20 years, including 16 years of those years at Wilbur Trimpe Jr. High in Bethalto.

Mr. Kallal loved basketball and coached at Wilbur Trimpe Junior High School and Our Lady Queen of Peace for many years. He established a scholarship at Civic Memorial High School in memory of his son, Jeff, who died of cancer in 1991. The scholarship is awarded to two senior basketball players.

In 1980, he started Bob Kallal-Bethalto Insurance as owner and operator, retiring in 2020 after 31 years.

A member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Bethalto, he was a 3rd Degree Knight of the Knights of Columbus of Bethalto. He was also past president of the Bethalto Rotary Club, where he was awarded the Paul Harris Fellowship. He was inducted into the Illinois Basketball Hall of Fame and the ABC Bowling Hall of Fame, and was also proud of his hole-in-one in golf.

In addition to his wife, Doneeta, he is survived by his daughter, Joanna Kallal of Alton; a sister, Theresa Timpe of Hillsboro, father-in-law, Glen (Mary Tanner) Nicholson of Godfrey; brothers-in-law, Richard (Margaret) Nicholson and Dennis (Jean) Nicholson; several nieces and nephews and three step-grandchildren, Sydney, Mya, and Miles.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Jeff; a brother, Ronald Kallal; mother-in-law, Ruby Nicholson; brother-in-law, Raymond Trimpe and a granddaughter, Ella Ruby.

Memorials may be made to the Jeff Kallal Memorial Scholarship. Online condolences and guest book may be found at www.kallalandschaaf.com.