Kenneth W. Damron, 69, of Marseilles, went home to the Lord on June 4, 2024.
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 15, 2024 at the Mueller Funeral home in Ottawa with Rev. Caleb Suydam, officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 1 to 3 p.m. before the service at the funeral home.
Ken was born on October 26, 1954 in Beaufort, SC to Caleb and Helen (Davis) Damron. He married Joan Wiley on September 22, 1984 at the Yorkville United Methodist Church and they spent the next 39 years together building their family and passions. Ken graduated from Ottawa Township High School in 1972 and later, Waubonsee Community College. He began working at the Aurora Caterpillar plant when he was 18 years old as a welder, and in time, earned the position of Facilities Engineering Process Maintenance Superintendent, before retiring in 2019 after 47 years of service. Ken loved his golden retrievers and competing in hunt tests across the country. He had many interests including motorcross racing in his younger years, guitar playing, woodworking, pheasant hunting and tending to his beautiful property. Ken mostly loved spending time with his family, particularly at their cabin in northern Wisconsin, where he enjoyed taking them fishing and on Jeep and pontoon rides. Ken was always up for a new challenge; there was nothing he could not do.
Ken is survived by his loving wife, Joan and his two sons, Don (Gail) Damron of Ottawa, IL and Dave (Theresa) Damron of Marseilles, IL. Ken was a dedicated father and incredible Grandpa and Buppa to his four grandchildren; Drew, Ella, Henry and Maggie. Also surviving are his two brothers, Tom (Kim) Damron of Ottawa, IL and Tim (Michelle) Damron of Fort Myers, FL; two sisters, Donna (Jim) Gerding of Ottawa, IL and Rene (Bill) Cunningham of Fort Myers, FL and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Rebecca Kay.
Kenneth was laid to rest in the Garden of Prayer at Oakwood Memorial Park.