Earl Kennell

1933 - 2019

Earl Kennell
ROANOKE – Earl L. Kennell, 86, of Roanoke, passed away to his heavenly home on December 4, 2019 at his residence. He was born on April 26, 1933 on the family farm in Roanoke to Arthur P. and Katie Horsch Kennell. He married Shirley M. Ulrich on March 15, 1957 at Linn Mennonite Church.
Surviving are his four daughters, Gail Marie Kennell of Waco, TX; Kathryn (Randy) Davis of Peoria; Sherri Bowald of Peoria; Gretchen Joy Hackett of Chillicothe; nine grandchildren, MacKenzie (Brett) Nelson; Autumn (Kasey) Campbell; Grace (Joshua) Strange; Trevor (Jessica) Dehmlow; Grant (Erica) Lonie; Hannah Bowald; Emma Kay Hackett; Jackson Thomas Hackett; Camden Michael Hackett; and four great-grandchildren, Lincoln, Rose, Nevada, and Elias.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one son, Edward Earl Kennell; one son-in-law, Bill W. Bowald; and three brothers, Lyle, Delmar, and Dean Kennell.
As a third-generation farmer he was outstanding in his field and lived within a mile of his birthplace. Earl farmed all of his life in the Roanoke area. Earl served during the Korean War volunteering his services with the Mennonite Voluntary Services. When he was young, Earl loved his time at Linn Mennonite where he enjoyed competing on their softball team. He was a member of the Roanoke Mennonite Church and served as an usher for many years.
He was popular in the community and enjoyed going to the "farmers table" every morning at Doc's diner in Roanoke to analyze the markets and meet with his friends. He had a love of chess and checkers and his favorite game played was a chess match against Bobby Fischer. He competed yearly in many state of Illinois class B checkers competitions and won many tournaments he competed in.
Earl loved spending his winters in Sarasota, FL., bicycling and swimming in the Gulf. Most of all though, faith and family came first for Earl. He loved to go out for family dinners with his family and was known as their quiet stable rock. He will be greatly missed.
The family will be having a reception and celebration of Earl's life at the Roanoke Mennonite Church at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday December 7, 2019. Cremation rites will be accorded the family will have private inurnment prior to the reception in Roanoke Mennonite Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Roanoke Mennonite Church. Online condolences and tributes may be made to the family at knappjohnsonharris.com