Kenneth Edwin Gunn (November 21, 1922 - March 6, 2013)

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Kenneth Gunn

Born in Illinois

90 years

122127

     Kenneth Edwin “Kenny” Gunn, 90, of Peoria, passed from this world into the arms of Jesus at 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 6, 2013, at the Apostolic Christian Home of Eureka.
     Funeral services will be at noon on Thursday, March 14, 2013, at Clary Funeral Home, 3004 West Lake Avenue in Peoria, with the Rev. Vonna Lou Larson officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the funeral home. Interment will be at Lutheran Cemetery in Peoria.
     Kenny was born on a farm in Panama, IL on November 21, 1922, a son of John and Etta (Titsworth) Gunn. He was raised in a music-loving, hard-working, Bible-believing family. The youngest of eight children, Kenny learned to love baseball from his older brothers and was cheerfully and lovingly looked after by his sisters. He was a bright student, achieving position of valedictorian in his Litchfield High School graduating class. After graduation, he moved to Peoria to attend Brown’s Business College.
     He secured his first job with the Illinois Terminal Railroad, where he met the love of his life, Cleo Kopp. Kenny and Cleo were married at the First United Methodist Church of Peoria on October 16, 1946 and enjoyed sixty years of loving partnership, before Cleo passed away on August 25, 2006 in Peoria. Kenny was also preceded in death by his parents and siblings: Charlie, Bert, Leonard, Ora, Eva and Edith.
     Kenny, along with M.S Casey, started Peoria Travel Bureau in 1945, where Kenny worked until his retirement in 1986. He is remembered in business as honest, dependable, level-headed, trustworthy, hard-working and wise. He had a great knack for remembering names and had an easy and sincere way with people. With the help of family and great employees, Kenny and Peoria Travel Bureau earned the respect and appreciation of commercial account customers and individual travelers alike. Kenny and Cleo escorted countless tours for local travelers, as well as making many personal trips all over the world themselves.
     Thankfulness for God’s great blessings was a constant and continual theme for Kenny. It was always on his mind and in his heart that this life and its gifts were all because of God’s grace.
     Kenny loved golf and played often with a group of men from his neighborhood during the 70’s and 80’s; with his son and grandsons; with business clients and airline representatives, in his working years; and again with a new group of neighbors in Daphne, AL, after retirement; but his favorite golf partner was his wife, Cleo. Together, they built lifelong friendships with the couples in their weekly golf outing group in Peoria. These same couples became like family as they enjoyed Bridge, outings to Corn Stock Theatre, travel and celebrating events in their lives.
     Many remember Kenny‘s fabulous gift of music. He sang beautifully and played both the piano and organ. Kenny did not read music, but knew and memorized several hundred songs by ear. He was a generous entertainer, playing for all family gatherings, get-togethers with friends and for residents at both Lutheran Hillside Village and the Apostolic Christian Home.
Kenny enjoyed the friendship of hundreds of people over the years and had a special affinity for a group of fishing buddies. Charlie, Ken, Jack, Carl, Eph and Kenny enjoyed annual fishing trips, Gin Rummy and friendship for many years.
     Most of all, Kenny loved his family and family life. A devoted and faithful husband and father, he cherished his beautiful wife, lovingly raised and cared for his children and found great delight in his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He would say he didn’t really care about things, but he cared deeply for his family.
     Kenny is survived by his sister, Ruth Parks of Florissant, MO; sister-in-law, Florence Gunn of Peoria; children, Sandra (Gary) Dutro of West Peoria and Jerry (Cindy) Gunn of Frederick, MD; grandchildren, Jeff (Karen) Adkins-Dutro, Kimberly (Rob) Fisher, Dan (Ali) Gunn and Kathryn (John) Dye; and ten great-grandchildren.
     In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Kenny’s memory to the Apostolic Christian Home of Eureka, P.O. Box 128, Eureka, IL 61530 or to the charity of the donor’s choice.

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Latest Condolences

Bob Moore

prayers

March 13, 2013

Sandy, Gary, Jeff and Kim, my condolences to you. I am sorry I can't be there tomorrow but I am thinking and praying for you all. I hope you find peace at this time. Love, Bob

Jack & Suzy

Prayers

March 13, 2013

Cindy & Jerry,

Our prayers are with you. We didn't know you were out east. We have never forgotten you and Dan.

Jack & Suzy

Steve Hoehne

rest in peace

March 12, 2013

Sandy I am sorry for your loss. You and your family will be in my prayers.

Carolyn Herring

Rest in Peace With Cleo

March 10, 2013

I extend my sincere sympathy to each of you and your families.

Kenny had all of the good traits that a person should have. He was very good with people, patient, fair, extremely honest and so caring with his family and employees. Kenny and Cleo were everything that we should all strive to be. It would be a better world if we could all have his traits and ethics.

I once read that everyone has three deaths. The first one is the day that we pass away and our soul leaves the body.

The second time is our funeral when everyone must say their final goodbyes.

The third time is when no one speaks our name or remembers us. Kenny touched so many lives and made so many friends throughout his life. Through all of his friendships, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren he will live forever as they say his name, remembers his good deeds, and the fun and love they had with him. He will continue to live forever through all of the good memories he has given to so many people.

P.S. Do you think that Kenny and Cleo have already played one of heaven’s golf courses?

Korte Knoblauch

Rest in Peace Ken

March 10, 2013

Ken will always have an important place in my heart. He was such a kind and entertaining man. It was a priveledge to take care of him and hear him play piano, sing songs, and bring laughter to those around. We could have wrote a book with all the jokes and advice he gave us. Rest in peace Ken.

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