Kent R. Kunz

Kent R. Kunz, 57, of Cherry Valley, IL, passed away September 17, 2020 following a courageous fight with cancer. Born in Rockford, IL, the son of Kent N. Kunz and Patricia R. (Johnson) Kunz. He was a graduate of Boylan Catholic High School, class of 1981. Kent married Cheryl L. Cremer of Rockford in 1990 and have spent the last 30 wonderful years together. He had a successful career in the mobile off-highway and manufacturing industry for over three decades where he worked as a Territory Sales Engineer for companies throughout the Midwest before retiring in 2018. Kent had a true love of sports and was an avid Chicago Bears, Blackhawks, Bulls and White Sox fan, as well as supporting the University of Illinois Fighting Illini. Kent also loved to cook and his culinary expertise was the highlight of many dinners and social gatherings with family and friends – always enjoyed by everyone. But, the true love of Kent’s life was nature and the outdoors. He loved fishing, boating, hiking and nature walks, many of which he did at the family’s lake house in Wisconsin, but also during family vacations to the beaches of North Carolina, the Red Rock trails of Sedona, AZ and the pristine trout streams in Jackson Hole, WY.
Kent is survived by his wife, Cheryl; daughter Kelsey (Ryan) McNabb; grandchildren, Quinn and Sawyer; his brother Keven (Susie) Kunz; sister Heather (Andy) Thiel and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family members. He is predeceased by his parents Kent N. Kunz and Patricia R. O’Keefe. The family would like to extend a special, heartfelt thank you to our friends, Joe and Rebecca LeClaire, for their unconditional love and support throughout Kent’s entire cancer journey.
The family will host a private Celebration of Life at a later date. Arrangements entrusted to Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Mulford Chapel. Share online condolences at www.Fitzgeraldfh.com.