Kenneth Wells

1950 - 2016

Kenneth Wells

NEWARK: Kenneth Irvin Wells, 65, died peacefully at home on Friday, March 11, 2016, after a long illness. He used his talent as a master craftsman to make the world a more beautiful place. He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Amy Sylvester Wells; a sister, Janet Wells Greene (David), of Newark; five nieces and nephews and his beloved animals. A memorial service will be held in May. Kenneth Wells was born November 26, 1950, to Irvin and Margaret Chandlee (Betty) Wells in Welch, West Virginia. He graduated from Two Rivers High School in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1968, and attended Maryville College before deciding to follow his love of wood into a career as a cabinetmaker. He honed his skills in a variety of settings, including both design-build projects and mass-market construction in Florida and Tennessee before moving to Ohio with his new wife, Amy Sylvester Wells, whom he married in 1978. In 1980, Wells opened his small shop, Wells Fine Woodworking, in Amy's hometown of Granville and began a 33-year career that helped preserve and restore the architectural charm of that historic village. Among the many buildings with architectural elements built, preserved or restored by his skill are Granville First United Methodist Church (doors), Robbins-Hunter Museum (columns), and Monomoy House, residence of the President of Denison University (architectural millwork). Other projects included the Greenhouse dining area for the Buxton Inn, custom furniture for many clients and countless custom cabinets in kitchens and bathrooms in the historic homes of Granville. His most imposing building project, however, was a 40-foot ocean-going sailboat that he built for his family, a labor of love that was completed after more than 10 years. In addition to his work in wood, Kenneth and his wife Amy shared a love of gardening. He studied in the Master Gardner program at Dawes, designing grounds and gardens for their home on State Route 16 that were featured on the Granville Home and Garden tour in the 1990s. His family is grateful to Hospice of Central Ohio for their care for the past few years. Memorial contributions to honor Kenneth Wells may be made to The Dawes Arboretum Development Office, 7770 Jacksontown Road, Newark, OH, 43056 or by calling 800.44.DAWES. To sign an online guestbook, please visit www.brucker-kishlerfuneralhome.com.