Josef Kahlert

Josef N. Kahlert, 86, of rural Berne passed away Wednesday, March 18, 2020. He was born December 8, 1933, in Jauer Kreis Ohlau Schlesien, Germany to Bernhard Alois and Anna (Brier) Kahlert. He was married in April of 1959 to Ann Horner.
He retired in 1991 from Navistar International after 27 years of service and worked for M. W. Habegger as a stone mason prior to that. He also served in the US Army.
In 1939, at the age of five, he witnessed the beginning of World War II and, at the age of 11, observed the devastation in May of 1945 in central Europe. When the Communists took over East Germany in 1945, he became displaced and expelled from his beloved homeland. In 1955, he immigrated to the United States of America and came to Berne. He was a member of St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in Decatur.
He is survived by two daughters, JoAnn E. (Walter) Comment; and Victoria D. (Rodger) Reagan; two sons, Michael J. (Rhonda) Kahlert; and Paul B. (Judell) Kahlert; sister, Dorothea (William J.) Hartman; two brothers, Alfons (Nancy) Kahlert; and George Kahlert; five grandchildren, Nathan Louis Comment; Ashley Nicole (Quenton) Benya; Elizabeth Ann Comment; Jennifer Lynn Kahlert; and Benjamin Josef Kahlert; and three great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; brother, Bernhard, sister, Edeltraud, and sister-in-law, Hilda Kahlert.
Honoring his wishes, there will be no visitation and a private service for the immediate family will be held. He and his wife will be entombed at Ray Cemetery in Monroe.
Memorials may be made to the donor’s choice.
Arrangements provided by Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home in Decatur. To sign the online guestbook, visit www.zwickjahn.com.