Kenneth F. Briggs

Kenneth F. Briggs, 91, of Montgomery, IL passed away on January 26, 2026 at AccentCare Hospice in Naperville, IL. He was born November 26, 1934 in McConnellsburg, PA.

Kenneth is survived by his son, Rodney Ray, his grandsons Kevin and Jonathan Ray; his son, Jonathan (Stephanie) Ray, their daughters Elizabeth and Madelyn; his son, Keith Ray (Sonya), their children, Austin, Olivia, Landen; his third son Anthony (Wendy) Briggs and his fourth son, Christopher Briggs. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews, a very close nephew, Allan Dale Briggs, Kenneth's brother, Jack, who resides in FL, great-nieces and nephews, great-grandchildren and his in-laws, Roberta (Bobbie) Carter, Robert (Bob) Carter and their children.

Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Nora (Rhodes); his wife, Florence; his brothers, Euguene, James, Charles, Donald, Paul and Roy; his sisters, Mary, Mildred, Nora, Bessey and Betty; many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Kenneth was the third youngest of thirteen kids.

Kenneth continues his legacy onto his 4 sons, 5 grandkids and 2 great-grandchildren; Rodney Ray and his son Kevin Ray of Finger, TN; Jonathan Ray with his wife Stephenie along with two daughters, Elizabeth and Madelyn of Hendersonville, TN; Keith Ray with his wife Sonya Ray and three children, Austin, Olivia and Landen of Murfreesboro, TN; Anthony Briggs with his wife Wendy Briggs of Sheridan, IL; and Christopher Briggs of Montgomery, IL.

Kenneth left school at 16 years old to work. His first job out of school was at a lumbermill, where he logged trees, milling and trucking. The next job he took on was at a power tower, installing power lines from Pittsburgh to New Jersey. Kenneth and his brother, Charles, moved to Rock Falls, IL to the steel mills where he met his first wife Barbara Harvel. Barbara's family had an auto parts store as well as a gas station, where Kenneth helped run parts, gas and service. The family moved to Paris, TN.

Kenneth had a few jobs throughout his time in Paris, TN as a dairy and cotton farmer. His first job was at Sears/Roebuck power tools factory, his following job was at Paris Horse + Trailer + Boat Company. The final job he held in Paris, TN was at a local shoe factory. After these jobs, he moved his family and in-laws up North to Aurora, IL, where he worked at Caterpillar.

Later on, Kenneth and Barbara divorced, she moved with the boys back to TN where her extended family resided. Kenneth later met Florence (Kendall) and got married on June 28, 1969. Kenneth started working at Caterpillar in 1966 and retired on their wedding anniversary in 1994 as a loving gift to her.

They welcomed their son, Anthony Allen, on April 17, 1970. Two years later, they moved into their new home in Boulder Hill, Montgomery, IL. Later, Christopher Michael was born on September 15, 1972. Kenneth and Florence lived in Montgomery for the remainder of their days. When Florence got sick, he took on the role of 'caretaker', making sure she got adequate care 24/7 until her death. Christopher stayed on taking care of both Kenneth and Florence as they declined in death.

Later on, Kenneth bought a yellow 37 Plymouth Hot Rod Truck and brought it to many car shows! Along with car shows, he loved going to church services at Westside Church of Christ in Aurora, IL. Kenneth and Florence were both members of the church. Throughout their time at the church, they would give families in time of need food and supplies. Kenneth also helped other folks at the church which included, the elderly and the widowed as well as lawn mowing and other miscellaneous jobs.

Visitation will be held on Friday, January 30, 2026 from 4-7 p.m. and on Saturday, January 31, 2026 from 10 a.m. until the service time of 10:30 a.m. at The Healy Chapel, 332 W. Downer Place, Aurora, IL 60506. Interment will be at River Hills Memorial Park.