Kenneth F. Towner

Kenneth F. Towner Portland Lifetime resident of Portland, died June 30, 2010 at the age of 90 years old. He was born January 24, 1920 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the only child of Alfred F. Towner and Edith (Moore) Towner. He was raised in the centennial home where he spent his entire life, on Okemos Road. Kenny graduated from Portland High School in 1937 where he served on the yearbook committee to create the first yearbook for the school. Kenny retired from TRW in Portland after over 30 years of service. He had also worked for Oldsmobile in Lansing prior to that. Kenny married Mary Christine Aves on October 28, 1944. She preceded him in death on March 9, 2010. Unfortunately they never had children, but the neighborhood kids became their family and many hours were spent with them as they grew up. Kenny and his wife attended the First Baptist Church of Sebewa for more than 60 years. Kenny loved to go camping, fishing and hunting and spent many years traveling with his friends and family. Kenny also enjoyed photography, history and genealogy and was a member of the First Families of Ionia County Society and the Ionia County Genealogical Society. He was also a member of the Great Lakes Campers of Michigan. He had a wonderful sense of humor and enjoyed telling stories of events that had taken place throughout his lifetime. Besides the many friends Kenny had over the years, he leaves to mourn his passing sisters-in-law Elaine Austin and Norma Bever; nine nieces and nephews and their spouses; many great nieces and nephews and many great great nieces and nephews, as well as his special friends and neighbors, the Smith family. The Funeral service will be conducted by Pastor Greg Mattson at 11:00 a.m., Monday, July 5, 2010 at the Schrauben-Lehman Funeral Home, 210 E. Bridge St., Portland. Interment will be in Danby Cemetery. The family family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until time of the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Ionia Area Hospice, Ionia County Genealogical Society, American Diabetes Association or a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be made at www.schraubenlehman.com.