Kenneth L. Harrison, 87, of Vandalia, passed away peacefully, with family at his bedside, at 3:45 pm on Friday, September 21, 2018 at Fayette County Hospital in Vandalia.
Kenneth was born on January 18, 1931 in Mulberry Grove, Illinois, the son of Roy E. and Nellie M. (Hittle) Harrison. He married Betty M. Bennett on July 6, 1953 in Hillsboro, Illinois. She preceded him in death on March 3, 2008.
He graduated Vandalia Community High School in 1949, enlisted in the United States Army and served active duty in the Korean War, Battery “A” 47th Armored Field Artillery Battalion, before honorable discharge in 1952. He became a member of the Sheet Metal Workers Union and did heating and air conditioning for many years for McDonald Electric prior to opening his own business doing the same, Kenneth L. Harrison, Inc. He enjoyed fishing, league bowling in Vandalia, attending auctions and collecting wood planes, and did extensive woodworking, furnishing his entire home with handcrafted furniture.
Kenneth was a member of Sheet Metal Workers Union Local 268 in Caseyville, Illinois, military honor guard of Crawford-Hale American Legion Post 95 in Vandalia, and Unity (formerly Temple) Baptist Church, where he was a former trustee.
Surviving are daughter Elizabeth Dolly of Vandalia, granddaughter Alison (Willy) Sears of Greenville, great-grandsons Elijah (Eli) and Isaac Sears, brothers Richard (Jan) of Rapid City, South Dakota, Alan (Loretta) of Vandalia, Keith (Judy) Bess of Decatur, sister Shirley Williams of Vandalia, half-sister Brenda Adamson of Mattoon, stepsister Joan (Wayne) Connor of St. Elmo, and close friend Betty Philpot of Vandalia. He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, step-mother Lena (Watts) Harrison, brothers Larry and Robert, and son-in-law Don Dolly.
Services will be held at Unity Baptist Church, Rt. 185 and Airport Road on Thursday, September 27, 2018 at 2:00 pm with visitation one hour prior to services, officiated by Rev. Ernie Flowers. Burial will follow at Green Hill Cemetery in VanBurensburg, Illinois, with full military honors conducted by Crawford-Hale American Legion Post 95. The family has entrusted Blurton Funeral Homes to assist in honoring Kenny’s life. Memories and condolences may be shared on his memorial page at www.blurtonfuneralhomes.com.
Memorials may be made to Crawford-Hale American Legion Post 95 or Green Hill Cemetery.
