Give in Memory of Randy Kaluza

The Randy Kaluza Memorial Scholarship Fund was established in March 2026 by Randy’s wife, Candy Kaluza, and their son, Mike Kaluza, through the Morton Community Foundation to honor Randy’s life and legacy in a lasting way.

Purpose: The purpose of the fund is to provide needs-based scholarships to graduating seniors from Morton High School who plan to continue their education. As a permanently endowed fund, it is designed to provide support to students for generations to come.

The fund is being established with gifts from Randy’s family, along with memorial donations made in his honor. Because the fund is endowed, contributions made today will continue to grow and generate scholarships year after year, helping future students pursue their educational goals.

Randy Kaluza was born in Westville, Illinois, in 1959 and lived in the Danville area until moving to Morton in 1999. He married his wife, Candy, in 1980, and together they built a life centered on faith, family, and service. Randy was a proud father to his son, Mike, and a beloved grandfather to Haley, Layton, and Auburn.

Randy worked first for Hyster Company and later for MH Equipment, where he served from 1994 until his retirement in 2020. He was known for his strong work ethic, generous spirit, and willingness to help others. Those who knew him understood that he was often the first to step forward when something needed to be done.

He had a deep love for music and was a gifted musician, playing bass guitar, guitar, banjo, and ukulele. Over the years, he served on various worship teams and was a member of the Central Illinois Banjo Club. He also helped found the band 4 On the Floor with Candy and friends Gail Strunk and Jan Winkler. Together, they shared music in nursing homes, memory care facilities, churches, and community events, bringing joy to many.

Randy also found joy in woodworking through his project Up from the Ashes Crosses and Wood Creations. During retirement, he spent countless hours handcrafting crosses so he could place a symbol of Jesus into as many hands and homes as possible. His faith was central to who he was, and his actions reflected a quiet but powerful commitment to serving others.

He and Candy also served through the Bethel Lutheran Food Pantry, helping provide basic necessities to those in need. Whether through music, craftsmanship, service, or simple acts of kindness, Randy consistently used his gifts to bless others.

This scholarship fund reflects the kind of life Randy lived—one marked by compassion, humility, generosity, and faith. Through this fund, Randy’s legacy will continue by encouraging and assisting young people as they take the next step into their future.