Kenneth Dawson

1952 - 2024

Kenneth S. Dawson
Born: June 14, 1952
Died: October 19, 2024
Kenneth S. Dawson, age 72 of Shabbona, IL formerly of Waterman, IL, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 19, 2024 surrounded by those he loved. He was born on June 14, 1952 in Kewanee, IL, the son of Arnold and Hazel (Alltop) Dawson.
After an 8-year courtship that began in the school band's trombone section and included many pork chop dinners at the Flame Room in Kewanee, IL, Ken was united in marriage with Jane A. Frazer on August 18, 1973. They spent the next 51 years together, happily drinking coffee in bookstores, reading on the front porch, and traveling the Southwest.
Mr. Dawson had high expectations for his Science students at Shabbona High School (later Indian Creek High School), where he taught for 41 years. An avid sports fan, he also coached soccer, baseball, and basketball and was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame in 1997. As the senior class advisor, he chaperoned many trips to Tan-Tar-A resort, where he was always up for mini golf, bowling, or the infamous bumper boats.
A man of Christian faith, he led by compassionate example and felt closest to God when surrounded by nature, teaching his daughter about birds at the state park, landscaping and tending his yard and plants, and breathing in the mountain air on Estes Park, CO vacations.
He was a loving husband, father, brother, uncle, and neighbor who will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Ken is survived by his wife, Jane Dawson of Shabbona, IL; his daughter, Brooke (Matt) Janisin of Elkhorn, WI; his siblings, Karen (Greg) Olson of Aiken, South Carolina, and Kevin (Sheila) Dawson of LaSalle, IL; as well as several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Arnold and Hazel Dawson.
Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 AM on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Nash-Nelson Funeral Home, 1001 East Garfield Street, Waterman, IL. Interment will follow in the North Clinton Cemetery in Waterman, IL.
Friends may visit from 3:00 until 7:00 PM on Wednesday, October 23, 2024 at the Nash-Nelson Funeral Home in Waterman, IL.
Memorial donations in Ken's memory may be directed to Shriners Children's Chicago.
Arrangements by Nelson Funeral Homes & Crematory, www.NelsonFuneralHomes.com or (815) 264-3362.