Kenneth H. Kirtley

Kenneth H. (Kenny) Kirtley, 90, passed away Sunday, October 7 2012 at Pine Haven Health and Rehab Center in Evansville. He was born May 30, 1922 in Muhlenberg County, Kentucky to Claud and Iva (Hope) Kirtley.

Kenny was one of the “GREATEST GENERATIONS”. Shortly after graduating from high school, Hughes-Kirk in Beech Mont, Kentucky, where he starred in basketball on a team that was rated one of the best in the large region, and marrying Mildred, he was called into the Army and almost immediately assigned to active duty. For the duration of WWII he drove an armed halftrack across North Africa through Sicily, Italy, France, and into Germany.

He retired from Whirlpool in Evansville after 42 years. He was a great gardener and supplied all of his family and friends with wonderful vegetables from his garden each year. He was an avid hunter of small game. Kenny was a loyal fan of UK basketball and St. Louis Cardinals. He was also a Kentucky Colonel. He and Millie worked in food banks distributing food to needy people.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, James, Charles, Gordon, and Claude.

Kenny is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 71 years, Mildred (Hill) Kirtley; sister, Mrs. Mary Maurer; brother, William (Bill) Kirtley; dedicated brother-in-law, Bob Hill; and many nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at 11:00 AM Wednesday, October 10, 2012 at Alexander North Chapel, officiated by Rev. Art Christmas and Rev. Dan Sigler with burial at Park Lawn Cemetery. Friends may visit Tuesday from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the funeral home and on Wednesday from 10:00 AM until service time.