Brian D. Kennedy

Brian "Poco" Kennedy, age 69, of Marion, Illinois, passed away peacefully on February 18, 2026.

He was born February 9, 1957, in Vincennes, Indiana, the son of Carl and Margaret Kennedy, both of whom preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Cythia Lynn Kennedy.

Brian is survived by his soulmate and wife of 48 years, Pamela Kennedy, and his brother, Michael Kennedy.

After graduating from Palestine High School, Brian set out to live life to its fullest, from working as a cowboy on the Corrigan Ranch in Florida, to a hunting and trail guide at the Durhamtown Plantation in Georgia. He owned and operated his own feed store, lecturing at several universities on agricultural frost protection, and retired as a corrections officer from the Shawnee Correctional Center.

Brian was a helper and enjoyed volunteering and mentoring people, especially those who shared his passion for animals. He was well known for his love of the Doberman Pinscher. This lifelong journey began with a stray named Babe in 1978 and ended in an incredible bloodline of working dogs. Brian, with his beloved canine partner, Takoda, began a journey that would pave the way to his true passion: helping people in the field of Search and Rescue.

He was a volunteer K9 handler with Williamson County and Pulaski County Emergency Services and Disaster Agencies. He went on to become a certification evaluator for the National Association for Search and Rescue. He was also one of the first certification evaluators for the American Working Dog Association's Wilderness Search and Rescue Canine Program. He went on to serve as vice president and then SAR Program Director.

One of Brian's final acts in life was to retrieve his dog whistle from the hook by the back door and put it around his neck one last time. He was going to need it on the other side.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home, 900 North Court Street, Marion, IL.

Per Brian's wishes, no services will be held. In lieu of a service, please consider a donation to the CUE Center for Missing Persons (www.ncmissingpersons.org) in Brian's memory to honor his legacy.

For more information call the funeral home at 618-993-2131.