A former Knox County sheriff, Galesburg Police officer and restaurant owner has died.
Kenneth “Ken” Harding, who served one term as Knox County sheriff from 1994-98, died Tuesday, Dec. 20. According to his obituary, Harding passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family. He was 87.
Born in Galesburg in 1935, Harding served in the US Navy from 1953-1956 on the USS Saufley stationed in Key West, Florida, receiving the National Defense Service Ribbon and the Good Conduct Medal.
He was a Galesburg Police Officer for 12 years and was elected Knox County sheriff in 1994. He served one term. He worked as a carpenter at the Galesburg Mental Hospital for five years and later worked for the Department of Transportation as a leadman.
Harding was also the owner and operator of an A&W restaurant on Lincoln Street in Galesburg.
Obituary: Kenneth Harding: Feb. 20, 1935 ~ Dec. 20, 2022
He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Chris of Galesburg; two sons Mickey “Mick” Harding and Jay A. (Janeen) Harding both of Galesburg; his daughter, Lynn Ann (Michael) Cooley of Massillon, Ohio; his stepdaughter, Kerry (McLain) Stewart of Omaha, Nebraska; one sister, Sharon Skeen of East Galesburg, Illinois; seven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.
Funeral services for Ken Harding are scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 29 at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Galesburg Chapel with Military Honors provided by the Knox County Honor Guard. Visitation will be 9 to 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 29 at the chapel with Galesburg Police Honor Guard.
