Kenneth "Kenny" West

VICTORIA - Kenneth "Kenny" Jay West, 84, of rural Victoria died peacefully on August 27, 2021 in the home he built on the family farm where he was born.  

A 10:00 a.m. “Pepsi break” will begin at the family farm on Saturday, September 4 followed by a procession to the Victoria Cemetery. Pastor David Pyell will officiate. Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., Friday, September 3 at Rux Funeral Home in Galva. The funeral home will maintain compliance with COVID regulations and requires that all guests wear a mask for the safety of all those attending. Memorials may be directed to ROWVA FFA or ROWVA Industrial Arts Department. 

Kenneth was born the only child of Jay and Hazel (Gutshall) West on April 25, 1937.  He married Mary Elizabeth Stevens on September 5, 1965 in Roseville, IL.  His wife of nearly 56 years survives, along with their three children; a daughter, Teresa (Mike) Welch, son, Jay (Janelle) West and son, Todd (Stacey) West; ten grandchildren, Sean, Nathan and Erin Welch; Tyler, Dylan and Emily West; Eli, Camden, Leo and Millee West. Along with Heinrich Thaler, German exchange student who is considered a member of the family. 

He graduated from Williamsfield High School in 1955 and served in the Army from 1960-1962, the only extended period of time he was away from the family farm. He was a Mason and involved in Rural Youth, he served on the Board of Directors for the Knox County Farm Bureau and Spoon River FS/Riverland FS.  Farming was his career and passion. Kenneth was always building or working to fix or improve a machine or building. He built many things in his life time, but nothing that gave him more enjoyment than a cabin at Oak Run.  

From the time Kenny got his first boat ride on the lake (the lake was barely full) in the early 70s he knew it was a special place.  Kenny and Mary got involved right away, in Halloween parties, boat parades, and even put on a greased pig contest on the 4th of July for several years.   They served on many of the Oak Run committees that helped shape the lake into what it is today.  Mary was instrumental in getting the 4th of July fireworks started.   

He recognized the value of spending time with family and friends.   He never missed an opportunity to take a boat ride, teach someone to water ski even though he had never skied himself. Kenny and Mary loved sharing the lake with countless number of people of all ages. Kenneth always enjoyed a good meal and fellowship.

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