James R. Kenney 1919-1991

KENNEY, LAUGHLIN, PETERS, KNIGHT, HILL, COFFEEN

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 1/2/2012 at 00:38:00

James Robert was born January 28, 1919 in Winneshiek County, IA, the second of four sons born to Klarence and Esther Laughlin Kenney.

In 1937 Bob graduated from Postville High School and engaged in farming for four years near there. He married Eunice Anita Peters in 1943 and enlisted in the United States Army, serving at Fort Lewis, WA. In 1946, following his discharge from the Army, Bob served as a State Dairy Inspector.

Bob was the father of three children: James, Connie and Barbara Jean, who died as an infant. The family moved to Hazleton in 1951. Bob was baptized and joined the congregation of First Presbyterian Church on March 25 of the same year by profesion of faith. He was ordained an elder January 30, 1972, and ultimately served four terms including the current session. He also served several terms on the Board of Trustees.

For over 20 years Bob drove a school bus while developing a business, Kenney's Kustom Cabinets. He continued remodeling and cabinet making up until his death.

He was Past Master of the Hazleton Masonic Lodge.

Anita died on December 25, 1974.

Bob married Ruth Elaine Knight, June 1, 1980 at the Little Brown Church, Nashua. He welcomed her four children, Jack, Renae and Noel Knight and Janice Coffeen into his family.

Bob loved his family, his friends, his coffee, his chickens and his association with children. He was a gentleman of the best kind offering a twinkly smile and a kind heart. He loved the out of doors and his patience was without end.

Bob died early Friday morning, Oct. 25, 1991. He will be sadly missed by his wife, Elaine; his two brothers, Bill and his wife Esther, Edgewood, John and his wife, Nancy, Lemore, CA; his children: Jim and Chelly Kenney, Bedfordshire, England, Connie and Dan Hill, Ft. Morgan, CO, Jack Knight, Gays Mills, WI, Noel and Debbie Knight, Cedar Rapids, and Janice Coffeen, Mason City; his grandchildren: Elizabeth and Rachel Kenney, Nicholas and Alyssa Hill, Lavender, Violet and Sable Knight, Aaron Coffeen; four nieces and two nephews.

A memorial service was held Monday, Oct. 28, 1991, at First Presbyterian Church, Hazleton. Special music was by Delores Gerstenberger and Karen Lingner.

Committal service was at Floral Hills Cemetery.

~Elgin Echo; November 20, 1991