Kenneth L. Matthess, Jr., 88, of Taylor Ridge, IL, passed away Saturday May 23, 2015 at Unity Point- Trinity, Rock Island.
A private service was held at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home, Milan, IL, and burial with military honors, presented by Moline American Legion Post 246, was in National Cemetery, Arsenal Island.
Kenneth was born October 6, 1926 in West Liberty, Iowa, a son of Kenneth, Sr. and Lurla (Whalen) Matthess. He married Violet Ingalls on April 13, 1947 in Iowa City, IA.
He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II.
Kenneth was a member of the U.A.W. and worked at J.I. Case for 19 years until their closing.
In earlier years, he had worked at Sanitary Farm Dairies and Sidwell.
He was an avid gardner, and enjoyed antique tractors, going to auctions, and fishing.
Surviving are his daughters (and spouses), Ida Roth, Viola,IL, Dianne (Thomas) Hedge, Kingston Mines, IL, Gloria (Russell) Stilwell, Colona, IL, Elaine (Jerry) Sadler, Waterloo, IA, Eileen (Monte) Hines, Taylor Ridge, IL; 10 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; brother and sister-in-law, Walter (Barb) Matthess, Lawrenceburg, TN; sister, Arlene Brigham, Worcester, MA; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents, four grandchildren, and five brothers, Hilton, Lemoine, Lawrence, Maynard, and Charles.