Gene Marshall Kennard, 95, of Newburgh, IN passed from this life on Monday, December 04, 2017.
Gene was born on January 17, 1922 to Mabelle and Jesse Kennard of Valparaiso, IN. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a degree in Geology in 1944. The outbreak of World War II took him to Notre Dame Midshipman School where he graduated and served his country as the Captain of a Landing Ship Tank (LST).
Gene had two loves of his life – and spent many happy years with each one. In 1949 Gene married Beverly Jean Posey and they settled in Valparaiso, IN where he ran his successful business – the Kennard Oil Company. They raised four children – Richard (Chris) Kennard of Jackson, MO, Bruce (Margie) Kennard of Kailua, HI, LeeAnn (Ron) Meer of International Falls, MN, and Marcia (Peter) Kennard Kiessling of Valparaiso, IN. Eleven grandchildren were added to the family – Leah (Craig) Prost, Greg (Tara) Kennard, Matt (Emily) Kennard, Kristi (Ben) Guidry, Kari (Paul) Graydon, Lucas Kennard, Tim (Jordan) Meer, Elizabeth Kiessling, Patrick (Andrea) Kiessling, Brian (Elizabeth) Kiessling and Spencer Kiessling. Sixteen great grandchildren were born to these grandchildren – Aiden and Colby Prost, Connor and Bennett Kennard, Kinsley Kennard, Tammy, Kaylee, Molly and Riley Guidry, Naia and Alia Graydon, Lily and Avaya Meer, Jack Kiessling, and Esther and Beverly Kiessling.
Gene and Beverly strongly supported and positively influenced many young people through their involvement with Bosse High School.
Beverly passed away in 1983 and Gene then met the second love of his life, Mary E. Brantley. Gene and Mary were married in 1986 and lived a happy and charmed life in Newburgh, IN. Mary has three sons, Jim (Tammy) of Indianapolis, IN, Jay of Valparaiso, IN and Scott (Hien) of Perth, Australia. Five grandchildren were added to this family, Amanda Brantley of Indianapolis, Jamie (Mark), Alli, and Nick Brantley and Tobi Tran, and one great grandchild, Nyla Gold.
Gene and Mary loved dancing, traveling and spending time with friends and family.
Gene is survived by his loving wife, Mary, seven children, sixteen grandchildren and seventeen great grandchildren.
Gene was a wonderful husband and a loving father who enjoyed life to the fullest. He lived his life with integrity, honesty and humility and always took the time to listen, help and teach. This was all intricately woven with his sense of humor. His common and endearing words to his children were, “Do good, love Pa”. This world is a better place because of Gene Marshall Kennard.
Visitation Monday, December 11, 2017 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Graceland Cemetery. Funeral Service Tuesday, December 12, 2017 at 11 a.m. with interment to follow at Graceland Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Bosse High School Larry B. Johnston Memorial Fund through the First Security Bank.
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