Kenneth E. Horcher, 67, a resident of Mundelein, IL, passed away January 3, 2026 at surrounded by his beloved family. He was born February 3, 1958 in Evanston, IL to Harold and Helen Horcher.

Ken is survived by his wife of 46 years, Terry Horcher, his daughters Beth (Jeff) German and Sara (Bradley) Petersen, his grandchildren whom lovingly called him "Papa", Kenneth German, Emma German, Molly Petersen, and Jake Petersen, and his brother James (Lynnette) Horcher. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Ken was a loving husband, the perfect dad, and the very best Papa. He meant the world to his family and to so many others, and there truly wasn’t a person who met him who didn’t love him. Ken didn’t have a mean bone in his body. He was kind, patient, and genuine, with a great sense of humor that made people feel instantly at ease. He was easy to talk to, never judgmental, and always willing to listen—someone you could tell anything to and know you were heard.

A skilled tradesman, Ken worked most of his life as a carpenter, beginning as an apprentice and mastering his craft over decades of hard work and dedication. He specialized in custom staircases but could build or fix just about anything. His knowledge seemed endless—whether it was carpentry, mechanics, cars or boats, he always knew how things worked and how to make them better. He especially loved his 1964 Corvette and took great pride in everything he worked on.

Ken was a loyal sports fan who loved his Chicago Cubs and Bears, and he enjoyed sharing that passion with others. Ken also found joy in the simple things, like tossing leftovers to the critters in the backyard, and he deeply loved the dogs he had over the years—even when he insisted he didn’t need another one after the last had passed.

Above all else, Ken loved his family. He showed that love quietly but consistently, through his presence, his work ethic, his humor, and his unwavering support. He will be deeply and painfully missed, but the impact he made—the love he gave, the lessons he taught, and the way he made people feel—will live on in everyone who knew him.

A visitation is scheduled for Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at Strang Funeral Chapel & Crematorium 410 E. Belvidere Rd. Grayslake, IL 60030 from 3:00pm until 7:00pm. A funeral mass is scheduled for Thursday, January 8, 2026 at St. Mary of Annunciation 22333 W. Erhart Rd. Mundelein, IL 60060 at 11:00am. Interment will be held privately.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Marfan Foundation in respect to his granddaughter’s (Molly) rare condition: https://marfan.org/donate/

For more information log onto www.strangfuneral.org or contact (847)223-8122.