Kenneth R. McNew

KAHOKA, Mo. -- Kenneth R. McNew, 75, of Kahoka, formerly of Keokuk, Iowa, died at 6:40 a.m. Saturday (Sept. 17, 2011) in St. Louis University Hospital in St. Louis.

Kenneth was born Feb. 23, 1936, in Jefferson City, a son of Lloyd and Helen Wolken McNew. He married Linda Sue Martin Aug. 18, 1975, in Anacoco, La. She survives. He had lived in the Lake of the Ozarks before moving to Keokuk in 1961. He and Sue moved to Kahoka in 1999.

Ken graduated from St. Peters High School in Jefferson City and attended the University of Missouri and Washington University in St. Louis. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was in radio communications. He was honorably discharged in 1962.

Ken was the owner of KR McNew Heating and Air Conditioning for many years. He was the founder of MMC Enterprises of Keokuk. In 1975 he accomplished his dream of establishing, owning and operating Keokuk Prototype Foundry, Inc. (KPF Steel Foundry), a short-run steel-casting business. A pattern shop and CNC machining operation was added in 1991. As the business expanded, it was relocated in Kahoka in 1998.

Ken was a member of the Catholic church, the BPO Elks Lodge 106, Knights of Columbus, and Burnt Store Marina and Country Club in Punta Gorda, Fla. Ken was a licensed pilot and enjoyed flying his own plane for many years and was a supporter of Wings Over the World. He enjoyed boating, fishing, and golfing. He was an avid reader of history and enjoyed traveling, especially the many trips taken in their motor home with a very special group of friends and family. Ken and Sue wintered in Punta Gorda, where they owned a home in Burnt Store Marina. He enjoyed having their friends and family visit them there. He was an especially kind person, volunteering his time and resources to help others. His family was very important to him and he enjoyed spending time with his kids and grandkids.

He is survived by his wife, Sue, of Kahoka; five children,  Neil NcNew of Keizer, Ore., Monica Pierce and her partner, Rob Blindt, of West Point, Iowa, Glen McNew and his wife, Jana, of Kahoka, Angie Alger and her fiancé, Mike Gretzinger, of Mascoutah, Ill., and Brooke Bender and her husband, Kevin, of Hamilton, Ill.; a brother, Lloyd McNew and his friend, Neville, of Centertown; two sisters-in-law, Betty Malone and her husband, Roy, of Waskom, Texas, and Sandy Farrell and her husband, Kenny, of Shreveport, La.; eight grandchildren,  Blake and Brant McNew of Omaha, Neb., Sydney Pierce of Baton Rouge, La., Wesley and Marcus Pierce of West Point, Dylan Columbia of Kahoka and Bailey and Hallie Mae Bender of Hamilton; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents and an infant daughter, Raeann.

SERVICES: 11 a.m. graveside Friday with full military rites in Keokuk National Cemetery, with the Rev. Martin Goetz conducting.

VISITATION: After 2 p.m. Thursday in the DeJong-Greaves Celebration of Life Center, 1212 Concert St., Keokuk, with family present 5-9 p.m.

MEMORIALS: Keokuk Elks Lodge, Knights of Columbus or donor's choice.

ARRANGEMENTS: DeJong-Greaves Celebration of Life Center, Keokuk.

WEBSITE: www.dejongsfuneralhome.com.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.whig.com.