Kenneth Lee Kinney, 77

Kenneth Lee Kinney, 77, of Shirland, Ill., died at 6:06 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016 in Rockford Memorial Hospital. Born Sept. 4, 1939 in Rockford, Ill. The son of Elwood Bert Kinney and Edith (Carter) Kinney Matteson. Formerly married to Teresa Gascoigne on June 22, 1963 in Rockford. Graduated from Durand High School, Class of 1957. Served in the US Navy from 1958-1962. He served his communities of Shirland and Rockton on their Fire Departments for 49 years. He considers the members of the Rockton Department as his second family. Ken was actively involved with Boy Scouts, serving as a Scout Master for Shirland Boy Scout Troop 356, and working as Medical Officer for summer scout camps for many years. He was employed by Waddell Truck Center for 40 years as a diesel mechanic. He was considered the most knowledgeable transmission specialist in the Midwest during that time. He also served the community working with the Food Pantry at the Old Stone Church, where he was an active member. He was a member of Rockton Walter Graham American Legion Post #332.

Survivors include mother Edith Matteson; daughter Teresa Kinney; sons Kenneth (Ruth) Kinney, Jr.,  Todd (Diane) Kinney,  Matthew (Michelle) Kinney, Ben (Mary) Kinney; daughter Amanda Kasper; grandchildren Josh Kinney, Ethan (Nikki) Kinney, Alex Kinney, Mariah Kinney, Ronnie Kinney, Victoria Kinney, Dakota Kinney, Avante Kinney, Teresa Kinney, Michael Kinney, Emily Kinney, Nicholas Kinney, Ivan Sanchez and Anika Sanchez; great grandchildren Eliana and Caleb Kinney and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father Elwood Kinney, brother Keith Kinney and special friend Connie Hounsell.

Funeral ceremonies took place at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 5, in McCorkle Funeral Home-Rockton Chapel, 767 N. Blackhawk Blvd, Rockton, Ill. with Pastor Dan Herman of the Old Stone Church officiating. Burial was at Shirland Township Cemetery. A visitation was held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 4 and again Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to the time of the ceremony. Memorials may be given to Vets Roll. To share a memory or send an online condolence, visit www.mccorklefuneralhome.com.