Victor R. Issert

WILMINGTON—Victor Roger Basil Issert carefully parked his beloved 1206 tractor in the tool shed for the last time on March 10, 2023. Wow, Dad packed so much into his life since his birth on June 12, 1933 in Kankakee. Jules and Marie Ange (Fortin) Issert nurtured and instilled morals and strong work ethics in Gramps, along with his sister, Therese and brothers, Leon and Tony on the family farm in Peotone Township. Dad raised Chester White hogs and show hens along with working the farm. These animals were blue ribbon and Grand Champion winners in the Will and Kankakee County Fairs many times, and Pops was quite proud of this.
It didn’t take Dad and Mom long to start their family once they graduated from Peotone High School in 1951. Pa earned extra money for his young family while farming, and as a custom fertilizer applicator. Dad was not content with that, so he built and operated the first hand-operated carwash in Joliet in 1965. The love of the outdoors, farming, and raising livestock refocused his efforts, and his energy was poured into the family farm on Ballou Road in Wilmington.
Oh how he enjoyed raising Hereford, Shorthorn, and Angus cattle. Calves sprinting about were one of the things that slowed Dad down and brought a smile to his face. Pops continued to farm into his mid-80’s. And how many times did you pass Victor, and wave, as he drove that red 6-wheeler all over several Illinois counties? Fifty plus years have been shared with family and friends at the “Ballou Cabin.” What glorious memories. If you have been lucky enough to share time there, you know. If you wanted something created from wood, Dad was your man. Look around at various family farms and homes and you will spy a Gramps creation.
Oh Family. How Dad loved his family, and here they are along with the words that each chose that best describe their relationship with him. His five kids: Stephen and Debbie Issert, “We tilled earth together,” Denise Marie (Rick Smith) Issert, “My little baby French girl,” Phillip Issert, “Honest, thoughtful, motivated, plowboy, father,” Jeffry and Jan Issert, “Best man I ever knew,” and  Joel and Angie Issert, “Super Dad, inspiration to all;” 13 grandchildren: Janene (Jon Floyd) Issert, “Je vous aime beaucoup,” Raechel and Eric Girardot, “Loving, servant heart, sweet, thoughtful,” Lauren and JJ Schmidt, “Handsome, dry wit, loving, dedicated,” Andy and Tiffany Harned Pilbeam, “I’ve always bragged about him,” Jared Pilbeam, “Organic man of high standards,” Hayley Marie-Ange and Greg Henke, “Strong, smart, loving, special, wise,” Garret Victor and Cara Pilbeam, “Hours in the combine together,” Brittany and Jong Kim, “Wise, generous, loving, kind, reserved,” Ian and Kelly Issert, “Generosity, kind, loving, thoughtful, ingenious,” Paige Issert and Aaron Medina, “Always kind to me,” Sean Jeffry Issert and Taylor Lawless, “Homemade truck and homemade bread,” Alex Issert and Tyler Rys, “Welcoming, genuine, carefree, family-oriented, hardworking,” Tyler Issert and Nicole Simmons, “Funniest straight-faced grandpa ever;” 19 great-grandchildren: Jacob, Benjamin Stephen, and Caleb Victor Floyd, Amelia Marie and Gage Girardot, Owen and Evan Schmidt, Grace, Gunner, Keely Jynna Marie, and Scotland Henke, Finley Pilbeam, Avery Rogowski, Jacobie, Paxton, and Leo Kim, Ian, Ryker, and Rowan Issert.
Victor is also survived by his big brother, Leon Issert, “He was the do it guy,” and also many nieces, nephews, family, and friends.
He was preceded in death by the mother of his children, Marie (Barthelme) Issert.
Dad will be planted, in a small country cemetery in Peotone Township facing the same rising sun he saw each morning as he grew up, and the same sun his children saw each morning as they grew up just a 1⁄2 mile east down the gravel road.
Donations may be made, in memory of Dad, to Uplifted Care Hospice of Kankakee County that was awesome with Pa. Don’t send flowers to his service. Grandpa wouldn’t want that. Save your money he would say. Plant a garden and raise some beautiful tomatoes instead. Pops would love that. And please make an effort to thank a farmer!
The family will receive friends for a visitation on Thursday, March 16 from 4-7 p.m. at Baskerville Funeral Home, 700 E. Kahler Road, Wilmington. Funeral Services will follow on Friday, March 17 at 9:30 a.m. with a drive past the Ballou Farm to West Peotone Cemetery, 11700 Kennedy Road, rural Peotone.
Following the gravesite get together, lunch will be served at the VFW Malcolm J. Mayo Post 5422, 557 W. Baltimore St., Wilmington.
Family and friends are encouraged to log onto www.BaskervilleFuneral.com to sign the guest book, upload photographs and share Victor’s memorial page online.
Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Baskerville Funeral Home in Wilmington.