Billie Jeanette Hess Gundlach

KENOSHA, Wis. – Billie Jeanette Hess Gundlach, 88, of Kenosha, Wis., passed away at 9:47 p.m. Feb. 26, 2017, at Kenosha Hospital.

She was born on May 10, 1928, in Homer, the only child of Howard M. and Jeanette L. (Strawser) Hess.

Billie attended Homer schools and St. Mary's of the Woods College where she majored in music.

She married Frederick S. Gundlach in Palm Beach, Fla., in 1953. He preceded her in death in 1964.

She was also preceded in death by her parents; a son, Severin F. Gundlach; and a grandson, Nicholas Gundlach.

She will be greatly missed by her daughters, Suzanne Knight and Margaret (Don) Black, both of Danville. Also surviving are six grandchildren, Christopher Knight, Severin (Tia) Gundlach Jr., Frederick (Mel) Knight, Kendra Allen, Vaughn Black and Shaw Black; as well as three great-grandchildren, Sadie Allen, Tyler Knight and Keyona Gundlach.

Billie also leaves behind a dear friend, Rod Ivy of Kenosha, Wis.

In her youth, Billie was well-known for her singing ability and won several vocal competitions at the Illinois State Fair.

Before she was married, she worked for Business Week and Glamour magazines in Chicago.

She loved her late husband immensely and the few years they had together were her happiest, spending the winter months at their home in Palm Beach, Fla., where they were the members of the Everglades Club and were owners of Gundlach tool and die in West Palm Beach.

She loved flying to various destinations with her husband as he piloted one of their several planes. The remainder of their time was spent in Belleville, Ill., where they owned Belleville Specialty Tool Inc. and where she remained with her children after his death until she moved to Danville in 1977. Billie also resided part-time in New York, N.Y., where her son attended school in the 1960s.

She was fascinating and opinionated with a magnetic personality which drew people to her, from which she gained many intriguing and devoted friendships. She especially enjoyed her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Billie will be laid to rest at Green Mount Cemetery in Belleville. A memorial service for family and close friends is being planned in the St. Louis, Mo., area.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, donations may be made in Billie's honor to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, Schlarman Academy (Danville) or the American Cancer Society.