Kenneth William Myers age 74 of rural Galesburg, died at 2:35 pm Wednesday, March 26, 2014 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.He was born on November 1, 1939 in Galesburg, the only child of Orin and Effie L. (Hook) Myers. He married Barbara Gasparovic on November 6, 1960 at the Cuba Christian Church.Kenneth is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Barb; one son, Robert A. “Bob” (and Tammy) Myers of Cameron; one daughter, Debra J. “Deb” (and Larry) Derry of Galesburg; 14 grandchildren, Jess, Ryan, Matthew (and Alicia), and Josh Walters, Emma, Jake and Shelby Sells, Morgan (and Tom) Stevenson, Erik Swanson, Abbey, Miranda and Natalie Myers, Devon and Connor Myers; 4 great-grandchildren, Vanna Ponce, Sierra Larson, Sam Stevenson, and Kaycee Walters; and several beloved nieces and nephews and their families.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one son Keith William Myers and one grandson Kyle William Myers.
He had lived in the Abingdon and rural Galesburg areas all his life and attended the one room Warren School on County Road 26 for his elementary years. He graduated from Abingdon High School in 1957.
Kenneth worked at the former Admiral Factory in Galesburg for 31 years. He also farmed. He collected toy tractors as well as many John Deere full sized tractors that he and his son Bob restored. He was a member of the Spoon River Antique Agriculture Association. He also pulled in tractor pulls and showed the tractors at area tractor shows. He was an avid Cubs fan and Packers fan and a fan of all the school teams in the area. He coached many softball teams over the years including the Admiral team, Farm King team, and Myers Farm team, going to many tournaments with family members on the teams as well. He also coached the Junior Sheriffs League. He had a great love for all outdoor things, such as fishing, hunting, and mushrooming and he was always trying to beat his own record from the previous years.
Kenny loved visiting and had a chat shop at the end of the road, where several adopted nephews, neighbors, and friends would gather for a visit and a Pepsi.
Funeral service will be held at 11:30 am Saturday, March 29, 2014 at the Abingdon Christian Church. Rev. Darryl McDaniel will officiate. Burial will follow in Hope Cemetery in Warren County. Visitation will be held from 10:00 am to 11:30 am Saturday at the church. Hinchliff-Pearson-West Abingdon Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Memorials may be made to the family for a fund to be determined. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.
