Services
Obituary
Russell (Russ) Kieckhafer, age 71, of Wheaton, IL passed away after a long battle with Neuroendocrine Tumors. He was the beloved husband of Deborah Kieckhafer, nee Cerven; fond father of Sarah Kieckhafer and Joseph (Maura Killian) Kieckhafer; proud grandfather to be; brother of the late Roger (Patricia) Kieckhafer; uncle of many nieces and nephews; a brother in law and son in law. Russ was born in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. During his school years the family moved to Merrill, Wisconsin and ran a small motel. He ran cross country track. Russ remained friends with many of his high school buddies and enjoyed attending class reunions. Russ eventually attended The Milwaukee Area Technical College. Ultimately moving to Illinois and working at Bell Labs. He received his master’s degree from North Central College. Russ and Debbie met in Chicago and fell fast in love. They married in 1990. Russ spent his working years in IT as the Director of Operations at places such as Orbitz and Sears. After retirement Russ and Debbie purchased a small cabin on a lake in Michigan. It was here Russ spent his days, fishing, boating, smoking cigars and enjoying time with his family and friends.
A memorial service is to be planned at a future date. Please check back after June 19, 2025 for an update to services.
Interment Private.
Arrangements entrusted to Hitzeman Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 9445 31stStreet, Brookfield, IL 60513.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in memory of Russell Kieckhafer to support the Neuroendocrine Tumor Program at the University of Chicago Medicine. Checks may be made payable to the “University of Chicago Medicine” and sent to the following address: University of Chicago Gift Administration and Business Data, Russell Kieckhafer Memorial, 5235 S. Harper Court, 4th Floor, Chicago, IL 60615.
Information 708-485-2000 or www.HitzemanFuneral.com
For those of you that would like to express your condolences to the family, please click on the link below and you can leave the family a message. If you wish to send a sympathy card to the family, please feel free to send it to Hitzeman Funeral Home, 9445 31st Street, Brookfield, IL 60513, c/o Russell Kieckhafer Family. We will gladly forward it on to the family.