Kenneth A. Winder, 73, of Troy, Kansas went to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, December 15, 2024, surrounded by family at the Maple Heights Nursing & Rehabilitation Center.
Kenneth was born on September 16, 1951, in Troy, Kansas to John David and Leora Louise (Holcomb) Winder. He preferred to be called Ken but never complained at any name people gave him, just as long as he wasn’t called late to supper.
He was a member of the Frederick Boulevard Baptist Church, St. Joseph, Missouri and a former member of the First Baptist Church, Troy, Kansas, where he was baptized on December 31, 1961. He was a deacon at both churches, for 10 years and 11 ½ years, respectively. Kenny graduated Troy High School in 1969 and earned his BS degree in mathematics from Missouri Western, with a brief career in education, then moved on. He worked at Pascoe Building Systems, and when they closed in Wathena, he began his stint at Artcrafts and Engraving. From there he went to Oxley Printing and NPG in the prepress department, until that department was eliminated. He wasn’t old enough to retire, so he became a para at Troy Grade School for Doniphan County Special Education, where he was known as Mr. Ken. For several years, he also was the janitor for First Baptist and Doniphan County Home Health in Troy. Kenny retired in May of 2017. In May of 2018 he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, and an autoimmune, Sjogren’s. He handled both with much grace and he never complained. Kenny loved nature and God’s creation, and he was a good steward of both. He especially loved God’s word and was a student of it. He lived his life for Jesus, and always did his work, as unto the Lord. God first, family and friends second, and Kenny always came last. He took painting classes in 1983, where he developed a love for painting. He painted various pictures for family and friends.
Kenny married Virginia Winkel on September 6, 1981, in Troy, Kansas. She survives of the home.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John Winder and Leora Winder Trant, stepfather, Chester Trant, mother and father in -law, Don and Anna Marie Winkel, brothers, Robert and James Winder and sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Gene Shelton, Barbara Winder, Mary and John Marriott, Mike Hegarty and a niece, Mendi Marriott.
Additional survivors: sons, Jonathan Winder (Callee), Highland, Kansas. David Winder (Caitlin), Parkville, Missouri. Grandchildren, Dean and Clara Winder. Brothers, Gary (Carol), Lester (Mary), Keith and Don Winder all of Troy, Kansas. Sister, Diane Faunce (Jim), Troy, Kansas. Sister-in-law, Chloe Winder, Troy, Kansas. Brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Donna Smith (Paul), Barbara Winkel, Terry Hegarty, Allen Winkel, (Laura), Kevin Winkel (Cheri) and Becky Winchell (Dennis). Numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral Service: 10:30 A.M. Wednesday, December 18, 2024.
At the Frederick Boulevard Baptist Church, 5502 Frederick Ave. St. Joseph, Missouri 64507.
Visitation: 5-7 P.M. Tuesday evening at the church. Friends may call after 12:00 P.M. to 3 P.M. Tuesday at the Harman-Rohde Funeral Home in Troy, Kansas.
Burial: Mount Olive Cemetery, Troy, Kansas.
