Kenneth Eike, 79, of Ottawa passed away Wednesday, May 8, 2019, at LaSalle County Nursing Home.
Funeral Service will be at 3:00 pm Monday, May 13, 2019, at Ottawa Funeral Home, with Pastor Phil Peterson officiating. Visitation will be Monday from 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm prior to the funeral at Ottawa Funeral Home. Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park.
Kenneth was born January 5, 1940, in Ottawa, Illinois to Emmett Eike and Arilla Arntzen. He married Marilyn Johnson on January 20, 1962 at Zion Lutheran Church in Ottawa; she passed away September 25, 1974. He later married Charlene Just-Wisniewski on August 10, 1976, at St. Columba Church in Ottawa.
Ken was raised in Stavanger, Illinois and graduated from Seneca High School and the University of Illinois. He taught at Ottawa High School for over 30 years as an agriculture teacher, FFA advisor, and basketball coach. After his retirement, Ken – also known to friends and family as ‘Grumpy’ – enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s sporting events, planting and maintaining his many flower pots in the summer and mums in the fall, and, most of all, decorating his house with an extraordinary number of lights every Christmas. Grumpy was a master at outdoor grilling which highlighted many family meals. Knowing his grandchildren enjoyed it so much, he would mail them packages of seasoned, frozen meat when they were away at college. His family will always be reminded of Grumpy when eating a pork chop sandwich.
He is survived by his wife Charlene ‘Boots’ Eike; his four children: David (Cynthia) Eike of Alpharetta, Georgia, Lynnette (Keith) Lambert of Ottawa, David (Kimberly) Wisniewski of Tigard, Oregon, and Donald (Anne Riordan) Wisniewski of South Bend, Indiana; his grandchildren: Corbin Eike, Carlin (Ryan) Warren, Zachary Lambert, Jacob Lambert, Matthew Lambert, Lucas Lambert, Kyla Wisniewski, James Wisniewski, Kevin Wisniewski, Rosemary Wisniewski, and Andrew Wisniewski; and one brother, Gary (Edie) Eike.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Marilyn Johnson; his daughter-in-law, Cydney Eike; his sisters-in-law: Kay and Libby Eike; and one nephew, Jeff Eike.
Pallbearers will be his Grandchildren.
Memorials may be directed to the family to benefit the Ottawa High School FFA Program and OTHS Educational Foundation.
Ken was laid to rest in The Garden of Prayer.
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