McIlrath, J. Kenneth 1924-1963

MCILRATH, MILLIGAN, PEARCE, FULLER, KING, TEW, STEWARD

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 5/11/2010 at 16:47:09

Grinnell Herald-Register (Grinnell, Iowa) Nov. 4, 1963

MR. MCILRATH DIES IN DES MOINES

J. Kenneth McIlrath, 44, of Rte. 2, Kellogg, passed away Saturaday morning at the Veterans Hospital in Des Moines.

The son of John W. and Corissa Milligan McIlrath, Mr. McIlrath was born Sept. 18, 1924, in Sheridan Township. He attended the Laurel and Newburg grade schools and was a graduate of the Newburg high school. On April 12, 1945, he was united in marriage with Doris Pearce at her family home in Ewart, Iowa.

Mr. McIlrath enlisted in the U.S. Navy during World War II and served as a radar technician aboard the U.S.S. Manila Bay aircraft carrier in the Pacific Theater of War. Following his discharge in 1946 he farmed in the Newburg community as long as his health permitted. He was a member of the Gilman American Legion and the Grinnell Elks Lodge.

Survivors include his widow Doris; two daughters--Corisa Gail and Jeannie Marlae, both at the family home; his father and step-mother, Mr. and Mrs. John W. McIlrath of Grinnell; a brother, Raymond McIlrath of Grinnell; two sisters--Mrs. James (Helen) Fuller of Gilman, and Mrs. Donald (Alberta) King of Grinnell; two step-sisters--Mrs. Clayton Tew of Grinnell and Mrs. Earl Steward of Marshalltown; and his grandmother, Mrs. Elizabeth McIlrath of Kellogg.

He was preceded in death by his mother in 1946.

Funeral services for Mr. McIlrath will be Tuesday at 2 p.m., at the James-Schalinske Funeral Home.

The Rev. Richard Hempenius, former pastor of the Newburg United Church of Christ-Congregational, will officiate. Military graveside services will be conducted by the Paul N. Ward Post No. 149 of Gilman.

Organist will be Mrs. Donald J. Renaud and interment will be in the Prairie View cemetery at Gilman. Pallbearers will be Kenneth Iske, Kenneth Arthur, Donald Humphrey, Ervin Clause, Robert Stewart and Will Wiseman Jr. Serving on the flower committee will be Mrs. Doanld Humphrey, Mrs. Ervin Clause and Mrs. John Bailey.