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BORN
1947
DIED
2024
Kenneth Bishop Obituary
Kenneth Dean Bishop Jr., 76, of Elkhart, Indiana, passed away on March 30, 2024, in Lakeland, Florida. He was born on May 23, 1947, in Niles, Michigan. Kenny was hard-working, both at home and on the farm. He loved his family and friends and his wife of 33 years. He was generous, kind, and never knew a stranger.
Kenny retired from Bayer Corp. after more than 40 years. He also worked his entire life in the Edwardsburg area as a farmer and worked with his dad at Bishop Egg Farm for approximately 25 years. In his free time, he enjoyed collecting antiques, mowing, working out, riding his Harley, horseback riding, tractor pulling, spending time with his grandkids, riding his bicycle, having breakfast with the guys and traveling. In his younger years, he enjoyed his muscle cars. He was a graduate of Edwardsburg High School, class of 1965.
He is survived by his wife, Brenda Bishop, of Indiana; two daughters Kelly (Steven) Lee, of Nevada; Tori Stone, of Michigan; three sons Kenneth L. (Holly) Bishop, of Ohio; Kevin (Sara) Bishop, of California; David L. (Brandy) Reed, of Michigan; 10 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Kitty (Roger) Davis, of Michigan. He was preceded in death by his father Kenneth D. Bishop Sr., his mother Oneta M. Smeltzer, and his stepmother Dorothy J. Ganger.
A celebration of life for Kenneth Bishop Jr. will be held on June 15, 2024, at 2 p.m. at Bishop Farms, 70600 Cassopolis Road, Edwardsburg, MI 49112. In lieu of flowers, the family requests all donations be made to the Cass County Cancer Service or Cass County Council on Aging, charities that were close to Kenny's heart.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Kenneth Bishop
David Colville
July 23, 2024
I am so sorry to hear Kenny is no longer hear. I always enjoyed seeing him and talking about how soon we could back to Florida. He will be very much missed.
Franklin Troyer
June 14, 2024
Kenny was one of a kind of person. His dad Kenneth Sr. also worked at Miles/Bayer. From high value EGG production to MEGA farming. I would talk to him about a lot of things from farm shows in Iowa and various places to all the politics of life. A great person to be acquainted with. I remember when he fell from the top of a silo and crushed his feet. With his determination and surgery he was able to walk again. On 3rd shift Machine Cleaner classification we had a few tuff guys. Oliver Newsome, Keith Kirkdorffer and Kenny Bishop all challenged each other in arm wrestling. Kenny beat all them WOW. Until we meet again in the next life be careful.
Anonymous
May 26, 2024
A great man gone too soon...Missing you
Skip Dyes
April 13, 2024
Sorry for the family and all of us who knew and had the privilege of having Kenny in our lives. Big man with a big smile and big heart Godspeed Kenny
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Debbi Babcock-Lemna
April 12, 2024
Brenda, May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Arlene Southard
April 11, 2024
Brenda, so sorry to hear about the passing of Kenny. Our condolences to you and your family. I am writing this from your friends, of long ago as your neighbors in Edwardsburg, Arlene, Karla, and Karen. (Kiner)
Kory E Bell
April 11, 2024
I don´t have any words for this. Kenny and I became fast friends for the last 5 years at my detailing shop. I truly loved this couple and so sorry for the family´s loss. Kenny was always the client that became friends with and always checked in on me through some of my own health issues. Love you brother always
Kory Bell
Retro Clean Automotive
Travis Davis
April 10, 2024
Where to begin with memories.....I'll just list a few that are popping into my head as I'm typing this.
1) Riding in/on the front of his loader picking up rocks in the field.
2) Being the first responder to him falling from the grain bin and stopping traffic in the road to try and get blankets to keep him warm.
3) Watching him keep the farm clean/landscape/mow to keep in beautiful.
4) Kenny tending to me blowing my shin out on a pipe at his 4th of July party when I was running around as a little kid.
5) ALWAYS leaving his truck running at grandma and grandpas house when he stopped in for a visit. Pretty sure his truck was never shut off a single minute of a day.....Some say it's still running.
6) Giving me my first tour of his "museum" at the farm.
7) Tractor pulls at the fair!
8) Teaching me about different types of weeds (Puslane specificially) and how to get rid of certain types growing in my yard. Yes, yes, this is a conversation we had over text messages one day, don't judge lol.
9) Kenny sending me notes remembering my birthday every year.
10) Letting us kids play in the wagons when they were emptying Corns/Soy beans etc. (Lee and Kevin getting stuck, shhhhh I probably did too).
11) Telling me why farmers use helicopters on their crops in Orchards
12) The old Football stories from yester year when he played in highschool.
And so on and So on............gonna miss ya big fella!
Brenda
April 10, 2024
My condolences for Brenda and the family.y father, Charles Young, enjoyed and always talked about this coffee at steak and shake with the group. I know he thought highly of Kenny and mention him often. I am grateful for and appreciate the years of friendship for my father. Brenda Young Cortes
Tina Helbling
April 9, 2024
Being blessed to have been a part of the whole family. From 4H to 5H. ....Hanging out at the farm. He will be missed!!
Mark Ewing
April 9, 2024
Steve Luterek
April 9, 2024
Ken was a member of our Florida Motorcycle riding group. This photo was taken at one of our picnics.
Always a good time and liked by all. We will miss you my friend. May you Rest in Peace.
Our prayers and sincerest condolences go out to Brenda and the family.
Gary Poole
April 9, 2024
He was a soft spoken quiet man and a gentleman all around loved to come to Florida and ride his motorcycle I have some memorable times he will truly missed RIP BUDDY
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