Kenneth Albert VanMeter

Kenneth Albert VanMeter, 78, of Red Bud, formerly of Cahokia, died Nov. 5, 2016, at St. Anthony’s Medical Center in St. Louis, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born Jan. 1, 1938, in Rockwood, son of the late Charles “Oley” and Myrtle VanMeter (nee Tindall).

Kenneth was a U.S. Air Force Veteran stationed at McCoy Air Force Base in Orlando, Fla. He was a 1957 graduate of Cahokia High School.

He retired in 1993 from Monsanto Chemical Co. in Sauget, where he worked as a fabrication mechanic. He was president of the Illinois division of Winnebago-Itasca Travelers RV Club and an avid hunter and NASCAR fan.

Surviving are his wife Esther VanMeter (nee Burwick); children Rendy (Kevin) Hahn of Waterloo and Kenneth D. (Frankie) VanMeter of Dupo; sisters Linda Sharon (Dale) Bond of Pocahontas and Pamela (Don) Huschle of Sunrise Beach, Mo; grandsons Benjamin Hahn of Waterloo and Jason (Darcy) Hahn of Lincoln, Neb.; great-grandchildren Lyla and Chandler Hahn. He was a dear uncle, cousin and friend to many.

He was preceded in death by his parents and infant sister Bonnie VanMeter.

A celebration of life will be at 2 p.m. Nov. 19, at Waterloo Sportsman Club, Waterloo.

Kenneth requested private cremation to be held. Online condolences may be expressed at braunfh.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family to purchase a memorial bench in his honor.