Longtime Geneva school principal Payleitner dies

Kenneth Payleitner was supposed to become a dentist.

That’s what his parents wanted, and dentistry is what he set off to study the fall of 1944 at Marquette University in Wisconsin.

But after one semester he enlisted in the military, and in August 1945 found himself on a troop ship, en route to invade Japan. When the atomic bombing of two cities ended the war, he was stationed in the Philippines, then upon discharge, returned to the university.

But this time, he had the courage to defy his parents’ wishes and say, “This (teaching) is really what I want to do,” said his daughter, Sue Curran.

Former students and staff of the longtime Harrison Street Elementary School principal are mourning the loss. The 84-year-old Payleitner, who lived in St. Charles, died Friday.

He was principal at the Geneva school for 32 years, retiring in 1985. The school’s library was named after him, and he continued to return to read to students, according to his son, Jay Payleitner.

That love of reading was one of three reasons Payleitner wanted to be an educator, according to Curran. The others? A desire to have summers free to spend with his family (administrators didn’t work summers back then, she said) was one. The other was his patience for children. “He always related to children better than adults ... he knew he had that gift,” Curran said.

He oversaw additions to the building in 1953, 1960 and 1967 that enlarged the school from six to 20 classrooms.

Payleitner started teaching in Geneva, splitting his time between Fourth Street and Sixth Street elementary schools. When he was appointed principal, he was also put in charge of Bradley School, a one-room schoolhouse on Kirk Road, until it closed in 1964.

Besides being principal, Payleitner was a junior high football and track coach, high school basketball referee, and a recreational volleyball supervisor. He played softball for the men’s team at St. Patrick Catholic Church in St. Charles.

Payleitner served as president of the Geneva library board, and was a member of the Geneva Jaycees.

After retiring, he taught religion at St. Patrick Church, and tutored adults through Literacy Volunteers of America.

He was also known for his devotion to the Chicago Cubs — including taking school safety patrol workers each year to a game at Wrigley Field, and being a charter member of the Die Hard Cubs Fan Club.

Survivors include his wife, Mimi; two daughters and two sons; 11 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a nephew.

Visitation is from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, including a memory-sharing time at 7 p.m., at Yurs Funeral Home, 405 E. Main St., St. Charles. His funeral is at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Patrick Church, 408 Cedar St.

Memorial gifts can be made to the Mac Attack Fund in care of Fifth Third Bank, 415 S. Main St., Elburn, 60119.