Kent R Buffington

MORTON – Kent R. Buffington, 80, of Morton, passed away Tuesday, September 3, 2024, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria. He was born on May 18, 1944, in Forest City, Iowa, to Donald and Dorothy (Budlong) Buffington. Kent married Carol Reber on July 19, 1969, in Peoria. They were married for 55 years. Surviving are his wife, Carol Buffington of Morton; children, Michelle Hajny of Morton, Sean Buffington of Denville, N.J. and Scott (Jenna) Buffington of East Peoria; six grandchildren, Shane Hajny, Kent Buffington, Noah Hajny, Seandon Buffington, Blake Hajny and Carolynne Buffington; and brothers, Bob (Ann) Buffington and Bruce (Nancy) Buffington. He was preceded in death by two sons, Shane and Brandon and one sister, Kathy Carlson. As a boy, Kent rode his horse, Prince, to the country school in Forest City, Iowa. He graduated from Iowa State University. Kent was a humble, kind, generous, caring and loving man who found great joy in serving others. His number one priority in life was making sure his family was well cared for and loved. He was an avid fisherman, hunter and spectator of sports. Watching his grandkids play was highly anticipated. He was especially looking forward to following the Morton Hogs on their quest to return to the playoffs. Kent was a great story teller who sometimes had to be fact checked. It came as a great surprise that eagles' nests are actually as big and heavy as they are. He belonged to National Trappers Association, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Midwest Gun Collectors Association. Kent was a member of Morton Methodist Church, where a funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, September 9, 2024, with Pastor Adam Penn officiating. Visitation will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday, September 8, at the church. Further visitation will be held from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. on Monday, prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at Hirstein Cemetery in Morton. Memorials may be made to Morton Gridiron Club for the Morton High School football team.