Mr. Kenneth N. Specht, 88, of Galesburg, Illinois, passed away at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, May 18, 2024, at OSF St. Mary Medical Center.
Kenneth was born September 15, 1935, in Clay County, Illinois, the son of Gould and Ruth (Hall) Specht. He married his high school sweetheart, Margaret Van Etten on May 19, 1957, in Galesburg. After 62 years of marriage, she preceded him in death on May 16, 2020.
Kenneth is survived by his children, Steven K. (Gloria) Specht of Galesburg, Kevin N. (Kate) Specht of Ft. Worth, Texas, Mark W. (Joy) Specht of Ozark, Missouri; his sister, Nancy (Roger) Christensen of Two Harbors, Minnesota; seven grandchildren, Nicole Specht, Paytin (Brandon) Weaver, Eastin (Paige) Specht, Jessica (Zach) Miller, Jasmine, Jordan and Jada Specht, five step grandchildren, Chris (DeAngela), Anthony, Angela, and Michael (Cortni) Broadhurst and Lisa (Aaron) Smith; five great grandchild, Paige Pfister, Betsy Weaver, Braleigh and Ryleigh Specht, and Violet Miller; twelve step great grandchildren, Noah and Avery Neace, Elizabeth and Michael Broadhurst, Angelo and Braxton Hightower, Logan, Jaidlynn, and Lily Grace Broadhurst, Colton, Isla and Ivy Smith. He is preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, infant Ruth Ann Specht and Nova Klingebiel, a daughter-in-law, Sandra, one grandson, Dustin Specht and a step grandchild, Austin Musselman.
Kenneth was raised in Clay County, moving to Galesburg at the age of 6 in 1941. He graduated from Galesburg High School in 1953 and served in the US National Guard Reserves for six years. He and Margaret moved to Quincy in 1960. Kenneth began working as a telegrapher for the former CB & Q, now Burlington Northern Railroad, for over 42 years, retiring as a dispatcher/clerk in 1995. While in Quincy, Kenneth served as Past Master of the Hermann Masonic Lodge #39. Kenneth was a member of the Quincy Grandview Baptist Church serving the church in a variety of ways. He served as a deacon, choir director, treasurer and assisted with multiple committees. Kenneth also was part of the G-Men Gospel quartet. Kenneth was the bus driver and chaperone for his son’s Flying Dutchman Drum and Bugle Corp. Kenneth and Margaret moved back to the Galesburg area in 1984. They were members of the First United Methodist Church, and he sang in the church choir and was part of the Hymn Singer Quartet. Kenneth also sang with the Choral Dynamics of Galesburg for many years. Kenneth was a Master Carpenter, building furniture, his home in Quincy and his camper that the family loved to travel in. Kenneth also volunteered his time to Habitat to Humanity.
Visitation is scheduled for 10 a.m. to noon, Friday, May 24, 2024, at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Galesburg Chapel. Masonic Services will begin at noon followed by a funeral service at the chapel with Rev. Liz Alexander officiating. The burial will follow in East Linwood Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Knox County Humane Society or the First United Methodist Church. Online condolences may be offered at www.h-p-w.com.
