Kenneth Amerine

1934 - 2014

URBANA – Kenneth Jay "Ken" Amerine, 80, of Urbana, passed away in the early morning hours of Friday, October 3, 2014, at Springfield Regional Medical Center after a courageous battle with abdominal cancer.

Born on July 6, 1934, in North Lewisburg, OH, Ken was the son of Jeremiah "Jerry" and Clara (Jones) Amerine. He was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Jo Ann Amerine, in June of 2013, a loss he mourned until his final breath.

A devoted family man, Ken was the father of Brenda (Dean) Williams of Urbana and Terry (Diana) Amerine of Overland Park, KS, and grandfather of three grandsons, Mike Grumble, Erich and Trent Amerine, three young men who meant the world to him. He was also the "favorite" uncle to numerous nieces and nephews.

He was the youngest of five siblings, two brothers, Jeremiah "Jiggs" and Arthur "Shorty" Amerine, and three sisters, Emmadale, Sue and Kate. All preceded him in death.

Ken was born on a farm outside of North Lewisburg and maintained a "sun-up to sun-down" work ethic his entire life. He graduated from North Lewisburg High School in 1952. He worked at Ross Willoughby, Dills Supply, Drackett and Howard/Fox River Paper, where he was a lead electrician. His "first retirement" was from Fox River Paper. He continued to work after this "first retirement" at Evans Electric and also wired many homes and businesses while owning and managing multiple apartment buildings. He was a well-liked landlord and neighbor who removed the snow from all of the driveways in his neighborhood on his beloved John Deere lawn tractor, proving that you can take the man from the farm, but not the farm from the man.

He was an avid fan of the Cincinnati Reds, Ohio State Buckeyes and Green Bay Packers. He was the scorekeeper and helped to coach the 1982 Urbana High School Boys Baseball State Championship team.

Ken served in the National Guard and U.S. Army in the late '50s. After the death of his wife, he was extremely active as part of the honor guard with the American Legion and was the 1st Vice Commander of Pearce-Kerns American Legion Post No. 120. He will be buried with full military honors.

He will be remembered as a kind-hearted, hard-working family man with a warm smile who was never afraid to give his opinion in a direct manner. He was loved and respected by everyone who knew him.

Family will receive friends 5-8 p.m. on Monday, October 6, 2014, in the WALTER & SMITH FUNERAL HOME, Urbana, where a service will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, October 7, 2014, with Rev. Kevin Horrigan and Pastor Roger Childers officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Dale Cemetery.

Memorial contributions in Ken's memory may be made to the Cancer Association of Champaign County, P.O. Box 38125, Urbana, OH 43078.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.walterfunerals.com.