Arnold “Arnie” Kinsella II

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Arnold “Arnie” James Kinsella II, 75, of Belleville, IL, born September 14, 1946, left this world Tuesday, September 6, 2022, from his battle with cancer.

Arnie graduated from St. Mary’s Grade School, St. Henry’s Seminary, and Saint Louis University, with a degree in education. He went on to teach at Cahokia High School for 33 years, coaching girls softball and volleyball for many of those years. He retired in 2001, but his love for the system kept him mentoring new teachers for two more years. In 1978, Arnie became a proud dad to Kimberly and in 1990, he married his friend and partner in life, Judy.

After retiring, he spent time doing what he most enjoyed, fishing on his pontoon boat at Table Rock Lake, golfing with his golfing buddies (of which there were many), and playing euchre and pinochle with his wife and great friends.

Arnie’s death is extremely sad, happened suddenly and much too soon. He couldn’t say goodbye to so many friends and family members, so if he could, he would have said, “Goodbye and thanks for the great memories!”

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lucille, nee Schaefer, and Arnold Kinsella; and a brother-in-law, Art Johnson.

He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Judy Kinsella, whom he married in 1990; a daughter, Kim (Blake) Evans; step-sons, Brett (Laura) Kessler, Brian (Kathleen) Kessler; a sister, Margaret Johnson; five grandchildren, Millie, Ellory, and Jett Evans, and Madi and Morgan Kessler; and three nieces, Yvonne, Tina, and Dee.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Shriner’s Hospital for Children. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.

Visitation: Friends may visit from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, September 10, 2022, at St. Peter’s Cathedral, Belleville, IL.

Funeral:  A memorial mass will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, September 10, 2022, at St. Peter’s Cathedral, Belleville, IL with Fr. Godfrey Mullen, OSB, officiating.

Burial will be at Mount Carmel Catholic Cemetery, Belleville, IL.

Condolences:

16 Comments on Arnold “Arnie” Kinsella II

Brenda J and Robert G. Spencer said : Guest Report Sep 11, 2022 at 1:18 PM

Judy and family, So sorry for your loss. You will be in our thoughts and prayers.

  • Nashville
  • IL
Christy, Dave, and Luke Buesch said : Guest Report Sep 10, 2022 at 10:21 AM

Judy, Kim, and family you are all in our thoughts and prayers. We are unable to be with you due to a family illness. We are with you in our hearts. We are so sorry for your loss. Praying God gives you peace as you travel this difficult journey. God bless you all. Love and prayers, Christy, Dave and Luke Buesch

  • Fults
  • IL
frushtaylor@gmail.com said : Guest Report Sep 09, 2022 at 11:41 PM

Mrs. Kinsella, you and Kim and the entire family have my condolences. Mr. Kinsella we like a father to me. He took me under his wing at CHS and I’ll never forget his kindness, his support, all the waivers he gave me to put me through graduate school and all that he taught me. He will forever be missed but I will never forget the impact he made on my life. I remember him telling me about Kim’s wedding and he was just like family. I still have your pics from my wedding and will frame and cherish it. Praying for God to sustain us all!

  • Belleville
  • IL
Barbara vinson said : Guest Report Sep 09, 2022 at 5:16 PM

I am so sorry for your loss.Arnie was loved by everyone and those precious memories will always be with everyone who knew him❤️Prayers for family and friends.

  • O fallon
  • Illinois
Christy Johnson said : Guest Report Sep 09, 2022 at 9:57 AM

Mr K was a great teacher and even greater mentor. He was one of a kind and will be greatly missed.

  • Cahokia
  • Il
Dale & Linda Goldsmith said : Guest Report Sep 08, 2022 at 8:33 PM

Judy,Kim and family— very saddened to learn of Arnie’ passing. We feel very blessed to have had him in our lives. So many great memories we have to keep him in our lives. So sorry that we are out of town and will not be able to attend the service. However, we will be thinking of you and pray for your physical strength and emotional comfort during this difficult time. Love, Linda and Dale

  • Smithton
  • Illinois
stephaniepaulik@gmail.com said : Guest Report Sep 08, 2022 at 5:04 PM

Mr. Kinsella touched the lives of so many of us from Cahokia High School. I will always remember his positivity and willingness to help with such a kind attitude. May his family find peace in knowing he made a difference to so many.

  • Minneola
  • Florida
Elfreda Morris - Davis said : Guest Report Sep 08, 2022 at 4:45 PM

My condolences. I remember him as on of my teachers in the 1970's @ Cahokia.

  • Florida City
  • Florida
Rich & Carolyn Buxton said : Guest Report Sep 08, 2022 at 2:29 PM

Judy & Kim, Carolyn & I are so deeply saddened at Arnie’s passing. Both he & I started teaching at CHS in 1968. It didn’t take long for me & everyone else to see that Arnie was going to be exceptional. He was the teacher & the person I aspired to be. His connection to students, his skills as an educator, & his traits as a friend were not only admirable, but they were also innate. As I moved from teaching into administration, Arnie was the team leader every principal wishes he/she had. My good fortune was that not only was Arnie an integral member of our CHS staff, he was a my friend. Carolyn & I offer our sincere condolences.

  • Belleville
  • IL
Kimberly Moy-Mitchell said : Guest Report Sep 08, 2022 at 11:01 AM

My deepest condolences to the family. Mr. Kinsella was a great man, teacher and coach. May God Bless and Keep the family through this difficult time. Cahokia Alumni Class of 1988/ Kimberly Moy-Mitchell. ♥️

  • Belleville
  • Illinois
Lauren Rodgers-Schroeder said : Guest Report Sep 08, 2022 at 9:29 AM

My condolences to the Kinsella family. I am a former student of Mr. Kinsella from Cahokia High School. He was a wonderful man and instructor that helped to develop my love of reading and an interest in Greek mythology and Shakespeare. He always pushed us to excel. He will be greatly missed!

  • Cahokia
  • IL
Mary Ann Ames Mills said : Guest Report Sep 08, 2022 at 8:37 AM

To my dear friend and confidant for many tears . Iam in shock to hear of your passing . I will never forget your wonderful laugh . As kids we had some amazing adventures . Say hello to wabbit . RIP my friend ! ❤️

  • San Francisco
  • Ca.
Diana clark said : Guest Report Sep 08, 2022 at 7:49 AM

Judy, so sorry for your loss. Arnie was a beautiful human being and will be missed. God bless you and your family.

  • Freeburg
  • Illinois
Eric Stacy said : Guest Report Sep 08, 2022 at 7:17 AM

My favorite teacher at Cahokia High School. He will be missed. Class of 1990

  • Granite City
  • Il
Mary Ann Montgomery said : Guest Report Sep 08, 2022 at 6:20 AM

So sorry, Judy and Kim, that we are out of town and cannot pay our respects personally. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. Tom and Mary Ann Montgomery PS I and the kids still remember when Arnie "saved" us from a snapping turtle in our backyard!

  • Belleville
  • IL
bob Vielweber said : Guest Report Sep 07, 2022 at 9:09 PM

Sorry to hear the sad news of the loss of Arnie. He will be missed by many. Judy so sorry to not to be able to join you Saturday for his final journey to a better home.

  • Belleville
  • IL

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