Mose Arseneau

Mose Arseneau, age 85, of Kankakee, passed away on November 19, 2020 at his home. He born on July 31, 1935 in Kankakee, IL the son of Mose & Viola Bovie Arseneau. Mose grew up in Kankakee. He graduated from St Patrick High School in 1954. After high school he enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving honorably from 1954-1957. He also participated in the Honor Flight to Washington DC in 2019. Mose worked for Northern Illinois Gas for 31 years, retiring as a crew leader in 1993. He worked a second job for years supporting his family of 5 kids, as a bartender, first at the legendary Sully’s restaurant and later at the Knights of Columbus ballroom. Mose married Dolores Kilbride in 1959, in Kankakee. They were happily married for 61 years. Mose was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Kankakee his entire life. He was a long-time 3rd Degree member of the Kankakee Knights of Columbus Council #754. He served in numerous capacities at the parish, being heavily involved in the old St Pat’s Festivals. Mose was a volunteer for St. Mary’s Hospital. Mose coached his children as they were growing up, including the Petticoat Softball Leagues for his girls, and the Eastside Bulldogs Junior Football League for his boys. He was on the Board that moved the Eastside Bulldogs from Beckman Park to a permanent home at River Road. Mose was a Past President of the St. Patrick Grade School Booster Club in the 1970’s and the Bishop McNamara Catholic High School Huddle Club in the 1980’s. Mose was a sitting board member of the Bishop McNamara High School Alumni Association. Mose was the current Board President and Trustee of the Kankakee Township Fire Protection District. Mose was preceded in death by his father, Mose; his mother, Viola; and two sisters, Yvonne and Ilene. Mose is survived by his wife, Dolores; two daughters, Renee (Harold) Streicher of Plainfield and Rhonda (Bill) Upman of Lees Summit, MO; three sons, Jeff (Debby) Arseneau of Frankfort, Mike (Danielle) Arseneau of Kankakee, and Todd (Tricia) Arseneau of Bourbonnais. In addition, he is survived by his 21 grandchildren, Nick (Stephanie) Streicher, Ryan (Stacy) Streicher, Kirsten Streicher, Sean Streicher, Tom Upman, Sam Upman, William Upman, Anna Upman, Megan Arseneau, Lauren Arseneau, Jeff Arseneau, Lucas Arseneau, Jenna Arseneau, Andrew Arseneau, Matthew Arseneau, Tyler (Kate) Arseneau, Taylor Arseneau, Tara Arseneau; one great-grandchild, Emma Streicher; and 2 great-grandchildren on the way. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until the 11:30 a.m. funeral Mass on Monday, November 23, 2020 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Kankakee. Please practice all social distancing guidelines and wear a mask. Inurnment will be held at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood at a later date. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to Bishop McNamara Catholic High School and the Kankakee Township Fire Protection District.

Mose Arseneau

July 31, 1935 - November 19, 2020