Victor Stenger

How do you start telling the story of the man everyone knew in a 4 county area simply as “Vic”? His is a story of a man of principle and strong values, compassion and faith, and love of his God, his family and his country.
Victor John Stenger was born to Clarence and Esther Stenger on January 22, 1932, during the heart of the Great Depression. He was raised on the farm, with his one older brother Dale, and two younger brothers Darryl and Boyd. It was in these formative years of great hardship that Vic learned the value of hard work and family.

Vic met his high school sweetheart, Jodie, on a school bus as they both attended Tuscola High School. Their love grew as they did and would later foster into something much more.

Upon turning of age, Vic followed his brother Dale into the Illinois Army National Guard, where the two served together in the 123rd Infantry Unit in Tuscola. In early 1952, his Unit was mobilized to active duty during the Korean War, and both were sent to Camp Cook, California. Vic was then transferred to the 44th Division Headquarters and served as administrative NCO during his mobilization. It was then that Vic realized he had to have his girl by his side, and asked Jodie to travel to California to be his bride. The two were married on June 21, 1952 in Lompoc, CA. In June, 2002, the couple celebrated 50 years together and enjoyed a reception with countless friends and relatives at the Kaskaskia Country Club in Arcola.

Together with Jodie, Vic raised two sons, Mark (Doug) and Jeff. Both boys still have fond memories of their childhood of their Dad taking them fishing near the “new” dam in Shelbyville and along the Kaskaskia river; throwing the football around at the halftime of Bears games, and simply taking Sunday drives, back when people could still afford the gas.

Vic took great pride in the young ladies that his boys took as their wives; Sandy (Jeff) and Sue (Mark) and accepted them as his own daughters. However, just as Jodie enjoyed, so did Vic, the births and time spent with their grandkids; Meagan and Ryan with Jeff and Sandy; Ashley, Matt and Kaylie with Mark and Sue. Vic’s smiles were never as wide as when he was watching his grandkids play, and how many Grandpa’s will smear cake on their face to hear the giggle of his Granddaughter at her first birthday party. That was Grandpa Vic. He also took great pride in his extended family; cousins, nieces, nephews and a plethora of family that almost “adopted” him. In addition to “Grandpa Vic”, he was also “Uncle Vic”, even to those that took care of him as nurses and therapists. That’s just how gentle and kind he was, that people simply wanted to accept him as their own; and he was more than willing to do so in return.

Vic was known all around East Central Illinois as the guy behind Stenger Realty and Mattoon Realty. He held brokerages down in both Arcola and Mattoon and thoroughly enjoyed meeting his neighbors from all around the area. His zest for conversation was well known and those who knew him also know that he could talk about anything, with anyone, for as long as they would like to talk about it. He could never simply “wait” anywhere without striking up a conversation with a total stranger. He served as Secretary for the Illinois Real Estate Examining Committee from 1970 to 1973 and sold real estate in the region for nearly 55 years. If you speak with his colleagues, they all remember Vic’s colorful and sometimes even humorous ads for the listings he had and some people still report that they always read his advertisements, even if they were not in the market for a home. He also very much enjoyed sharing his opinions on the topics of the day through his letters to the editor. His son’s recall phone calls at the house from people about the opinions he shared, whether they agreed…or not.

Vic was a proud member of the Arcola United Methodist Church, the local American Legion and the Lions Club, and even when he began having difficulty in full participation with these groups he loved so much, they loved him back by helping him whenever they could. He was a patriot who loved his Veteran’s and always stood up for them, even during those times when such a position was not as popular as it is today. He loved his country and the liberty that its principals stand for, and he loved those that stood with him to protect and defend them.

Vic’s last years were not as comfortable as we would all like, but he stood strong and persevered. He helped his wife Jodie through her own health issues, and mourned when he lost her in 2008. She had been his soul-mate for almost 60 years, and the person that knew him best. It was not something that was easily overcome. He then had to deal with his own health issues, but today, they are both young again. You can almost imagine them “Doing the Huckabuck” again, can’t you? I can.