Kenneth A. Bannen

Kenneth Allen Bannen, 84, of Watervliet died Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025, at Corewell Health Rehabilitation & Nursing Center-Pine Ridge, Stevensville. He was born on June 27, 1941, in Traverse City, Mich., to Milford "Stub" and Geneva (Bartlett) Bannen.

Ken enjoyed a loving childhood with his mother, Geneva, and brother, Grant, in Traverse City. He participated in sports in high school and then played basketball for two years at Northern Michigan College. He then transferred to Central Michigan University to finish his bachelor's in education degree. That's where he met his future wife, Bonnie. For their student teaching, they were assigned to O.J. DeJonge Junior High in Ludington, Mich., which was Bonnie's hometown. They married in 1967 and moved to Jackson, Mich., as he had been hired as principal at Hanover-Horton Junior Senior High School. Their son, Todd, was born in 1969. They then moved to Watervliet after he was hired as high school principal in 1972. Their daughter, Stacy, was born in 1973. Ken received a master's degree in secondary school administration from Michigan State University. During his successful tenure at Watervliet, he became superintendent in 1993 until his retirement in 1998. His love for work in education drew him to subsequent interim administration positions at St. Joseph, Hartford and Niles-Brandywine Public Schools.

Ken was a pillar within Watervliet. He loved the community and the school system, well known for respecting all, including the innumerable students, parents, teachers, staff, as well as local government representatives and community leaders and volunteers. He enjoyed coaching and attending many extracurricular events. One of his proudest achievements was helping to pass a millage to revitalize the school system, specifically to secure funding to build a middle school addition. He was an active member of the Watervliet Lions Club and was on the Community Hospital-Watervliet Board of Directors for several years.

Ken enjoyed golfing, trips to Florida, kayaking, gardening and Sunday road trips. He loved to travel on football Saturdays to see Todd play tuba in the Michigan Marching Band and Stacy perform on the Michigan State Dance Team. He tragically had a stroke in late 2010, and Bonnie became his full-time caretaker. Ken loved his two grandchildren, Donovan and Kenzie, and watching them grow, play and excel in their young lives.

Survivors include wife, Bonnie (Jensen) Bannen of Watervliet; son Todd Bannen, M.D., daughter-in-law Theresa (Song) Bannen, and granddaughter Kenzie Bannen (8) of Chicago; daughter Stacy (Bannen) Craig, son-in-law David Craig and grandson Donovan Craig (14) of Chicago; nephew, Grant A. Bannen and niece Stacy C. Bannen of Fort Worth, Texas, and their children Emma and Lane; nephew Michael Bannen, Ph.D., niece Megan Bannen, and their children Hank and Gus of Overland Park, Kan.; nephew Dennis Pauwels and partner Marla Johnson of Fort Wayne, Ind.; niece Susy Zimmer of North Muskegon, Mich., and her son Troy and daughter-in-law Paige and children Madison and Carter of Williamston, S.C., and stepdaughter, Jennifer (Andrew) Grooten and daughters Elizabeth, Cassandra and Kaitlyn of Kalamazoo, Mich.; nephew Doug Barnett and niece Linda Barnett of Chesterfield, Va., and children Kayla (James) Schambaugh and daughter Charlotte and Taralyn (Derek) Nelson and children Riley and Hallie of Chesterfield; niece Leanne Barnett of Escanaba, Mich., and children Christopher (Kassidy) and children Jack and Teddy of Grand Rapids, Mich., Andrew (Kim) and daughters Madi and Abigail of Kalamazoo, and Crystal and her children Alisyn and Landyn; niece Lenae, M.D. (Aaron, D.O.) VanWagnen of Jackson, and daughters Elizabeth (Paul) Buchholz, Margaret and Kathryn.

Ken was preceded in death by his father and mother; brother Grant Bannen and sister-in-law Diane Bannen; mother-in-law Stella GeBott and father-in-law William "Hank" GeBott; brother-in-law Frank Pauwels and sister-in-law Delores Pauwels; brother-in-law Donald Barnett and sister-in-law Betty Barnett; nephew John Zimmer; nephew Brian Barnett and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Ken's family would like to thank everyone at the Pine Ridge facility for their exemplary care of their loved one for the past two years.

A funeral service will be at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 21, in the Watervliet High School Auditorium. A luncheon will immediately follow at Arclight Brewing Company in Watervliet. Cremation has taken place, and Ken's ashes will be buried at Lakeview Cemetery in Ludington at a later date.

Memorials may be made to the Kenneth A. Bannen Scholarship Fund, by way of Watervliet High School, 450 E. St. Joseph St., Watervliet, MI 49098, or to the charity of the donor's choice. You are invited to leave a message of comfort for Ken's family at hutchinsfuneral.com.