Henry J. Kay, Jr

Henry J. Kay, Jr., 88, of Champaign, Illinois, former resident of Oak Park, Illinois, died at 5:32 a.m., June 28, 2022 at St. Mary's Hospital, Kankakee, Illinois.

He was born Henry John Kay, Jr. in Chicago on January 20, 1934 to Henry J. (Sr.) and Mary E. Kay. Henry was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 46 years, Marie (Prindiville) Kay, and his brother Dr. Jerome (Gail) Kay, Santa Barbara, CA.

Henry is survived by his children Dr. Michael (Mary) Kay, Blaine, WA, Dr. Thomas (Tamara) Kay, Valparaiso, IN; Mary (Robert) McGrew, Champaign, IL; Elizabeth (James) Jelin, Santa Fe, NM; and Kathleen (John) Shoesmith, Redmond, WA; and his brothers, Walter Kay, Paducah, KY; and Roger (Sunny) Kay, Farmington, ME. He is the beloved grandfather of 16 grandchildren: Marty, Theresa, Andy, Julie, Emma and TJ Kay; Samantha (Matt) and Allie Miller; Katie and Ellie McGrew; Arthur, Daniel, Eddie and Olivia Jelin; and William and Benjamin Shoesmith.

As a young man, Henry worked alongside his father at Kay's Market, a butcher shop located in the Six Corners area of Chicago. Henry served in the Army during the Korean War and returned to marry his wife, Marie, and begin his career as a sales manager in the beverage industry which saw him move from his hometown of Chicago to Seattle and back to the Midwest, finally settling in Champaign, IL for the past 28 years. In his retirement, Henry returned to his roots by working as a butcher at Schnuck's on North Mattis in Champaign, IL. Henry was very devoted to his family and was involved in his grandchildren's lives. He was an involved parishioner at St. Matthew's Parish in Champaign, IL. He enjoyed his time living at his most recent residence, The Windsor of Savoy in Savoy, IL.

The Visitation is Friday, July 1, 9:00-9:45 a.m. at Owens Funeral Home (101 N. Elm St.) in Champaign, IL. The Funeral Mass is Friday, July 1, 10 a.m. at St. Matthew Catholic Church in Champaign, IL, followed by burial at All Saints Cemetery in Des Plaines, IL at 2:30 p.m.

Memorials may be made in Henry's name to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society or the National Kidney Foundation.

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