Kenneth M. Nix

Kenneth M. Nix, 89, a long-time resident of Davenport, died peacefully on June 20, 2011 at Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House. Funeral services and Mass of Christian Burial will be 1:00 p.m. Friday, June 24, 2011 at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 916 E. Rusholme, Davenport. Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Davenport with military honors. Visitation will be Thursday from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at the Halligan McCabe DeVries Funeral Home where you are invited to join the family at 5:00 p.m. for a prayer service. Ken was born January 8th, 1922, the fourth of ten children of Florence and Theresa Nix. He met his future wife, Helen (Reilman), during their senior year at Central Catholic High School, Ft. Wayne, IN. The two married in El Centro, CA on April 21, 1945. He entered the Marine Corps at the beginning of World War II, navigating photo reconnaissance flights over the Pacific. He remained in the military until 1947 before settling in Davenport, where he worked as a supervisor at the International Harvester Farmall plant for 31 years. During this time he remained in the Marine Reserves and served a tour of duty in Korea in the early 1950’s. After his retirement in 1978, Helen and Ken moved to Estes Park, CO, and Apache Junction, AR, before returning to Davenport. Ken was a devoted husband of nearly 65 years, an active father of four, and ever committed to his religious faith. He was a member of St. Paul’s for over 50 years, and attended mass daily. He was always willing to help a stranger in need, and volunteered in his children’s activities, including being a leader in the Boy Scouts and Explorer Scouts and a Little League Baseball coach. He served as president of the Holy Name Society, and was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, Serra Club, the Halligan McCabe DeVries Funeral Home Pallbearer Club, Farmall Retiree Group,and the Gung Ho Gang, a group of Marine Corps veterans. He had a love for the outdoors which he passed on to his children – making sure summer plans included camping, canoeing, and hiking trips. His interests included playing tennis, golfing, and cheering for his beloved Notre Dame Irish. When the children were grown, Helen and he saw the sights of America on their RV trips. Together they filled their time with family, close friends and many activities in the local community. Kenneth is survived by his daughter Mary Anne Oliger, Davenport, IA, and sons Ken Jr. and his wife Terri, St. Lake City, UT, James and his wife Karen, Racine, WI, and David and wife Jill Van Winegarden, Oakland, CA, He is survived by siblings Armella Scott (WA), Zeno (Helen) Nix (IN), Eugene (Joan) Nix (IN), Katie (Don) Scharlach (SC), and Pauline Baker (IN), sister-in-law, Marge Ufheil, brothers-in-law, Reverend Thomas Reilman, Burlington, Ia. and Robert Reilman (Beverlie), as well as nine grandchildren, one great grandchild and many beloved nephews, nieces and cousins. He was preceded in death by Helen in 2009, son-in-law, Jim Oliger, and siblings Annette, Bernadine, Lorena and Thomas. The family wishes to profoundly thank the staff of Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House and Guardian Family Care for the compassionate care they provided. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Assumption High School, St. Paul the Apostle Parish or your favorite charity.