Kalvin J. Peart

I was given the gift of life and now I have to give it back. This is hard but I was a lucky man. I have had a rich life and for this I am grateful. I was so content with my loving wife and amazing kids, grandkids, family, and friends.

The world lost a wonderful man, Kalvin Jay Peart, on February 8, 2021. He was a calm, loving person who never judged you, was kind to everyone, and so easy to talk to. Kalvin was born in Geneseo on November 2, 1954, the fourth child of Daryl and Ruth (Ufheil) Peart. He is survived by his wife Diane (Dybdal) Peart, 3 of his 4 children: Jeremy (Laura) Peart, Brandon (Jill) Peart, and Lexi (Frank) Bucaro. He is also survived by 9 grandchildren: Gage Peart, Jaden Underwood, Wavelynn Peart, Emersynn Peart, Calvin Peart, Eve Bucaro, Dean Bucaro, Mae Bucaro, and Gwen Bucaro, Siblings: Darylnn Peart (Constance Deal), Kevin (Kathy) Peart, Karen (Don) Krager, and Jeff Peart, In-laws: Gail Peart, Pat & Gary Snider, Sue & Tom Toolan-Osborne, Jane & Paul Van Dril, Bob & Mary Anne Dybdal, Jackie Floming, and John Dybdal. He was preceded in death by his parents Daryl and Ruth (Ufheil) Peart, brother Steve Peart, and his beloved son Ryan Peart whom he is now reunited with again in heaven.

As a youth he excelled in baseball and often pitched to his brother Steve who would occasionally approach the mound - “Just throw a strike!”. After his playing days, he took up coaching and had several championship teams. He was a huge fan of sports including the Illini, Bears, Blackhawks, and Cubs - who actually gave him the best birthday gift when they won the World Series on November 2, 2016.

Kal graduated from Kewanee High School in 1972 and Black Hawk East College in 1975 with honors. While in high school Kal met his soulmate and the love of his life Diane Dybdal. They started dating in March 1970 and married February 9, 1974. In 1973, Kal began working for Eagle Supermarket, where he continued working for 30 years until they closed the doors. He had the privilege of turning the lights off and locking the doors. He worked for BoMag from 2003 until 2008, and the Kewanee schools from 2009 until his retirement in 2018. He enjoyed being retired, spending time with his kids and grandkids. He also enjoyed traveling to places such as Hawaii, France, Italy, Mediterranean cruise, and Beaches of Normandy, sharing his love of history with his brother Kevin. He followed in his brother Steve’s footsteps, announcing the high school sports on WKEI with Russ Hughes, Gary Petersen, Bob McKee, and several other people.

Kal was known as “Papa” by his grandkids. He was a very silly Papa who would always create or act out funny situations just to get the kids to laugh. With him, your imagination had no limits. He could be found making funny noises or funny hand puppets because there was nothing more wonderful to him than laughter. Kal laughed hard and often. He was very much a “kid” himself at heart. He had a love of life and always had the right thing to say at the right time. He inherited this gift from his mother who, also like him, was the easiest person to talk to. His love of conversation started very young dating back to his childhood when they would sit together at the kitchen table and he would steal drinks of her Sanka coffee.

He was a pleasure to be around and the way he told a story could keep even the most distracted listeners entertained. His calming presence and laid back look on life helped keep his family at ease. He was an incredible role model and the proud patriarch of the Peart Family. If there was ever a question about something, you could ask Kal. He was the “Hey Google” before there was one. It was amazing how well he could recall dates and facts at the drop of a hat. We were all better people for having known him and the imprints he’s left on our lives will last for generations.

Welcome home Kalvin Jay. We love you and will miss you every day for the rest of our lives. Until we meet again, we will live each day with a smile, open mind, and a kind heart. Thank you for being the best man we have ever known.

A public visitation will be held from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m., Sunday, February 14 at Rux Funeral Home in Kewanee. Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, February 15 at the funeral home with inurnment in Mt. Olivet Cemetery at a later date. Deacon Martin VanMeltebeck will officiate. His service can be viewed via the funeral home Facebook page. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any memorials be sent directly to them to be used for youth sports in Kewanee which will be set up at a later date.

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