A visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at McGilley & Hoge Funeral Chapel, 8024 Santa Fe Drive, Overland Park, Kansas 66204. Following the visitation, a procession will proceed to a graveside service at Leavenworth National Cemetery, 150 Muncie Road, Leavenworth, Kansas 66048.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Kenneth’s honor to New Hope Food Pantry (New Hope Presbyterian Church), 13310 S. Black Bob Road, Olathe, Kansas 66062, or to the Richard and Annette Bloch Cancer Care Pavilion at KU Medical Center, 2650 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Westwood, Kansas 66205.
Kenneth was born on April 11, 1946, in Kansas City, Missouri, to William and Bernice Iles. Growing up in Kansas City, Kansas, he attended Rosedale High School and participated in scouting, attaining the rank of Eagle Scout. He joined the United States Army and served his country during the Vietnam War. Following his honorable discharge, Kenneth attended the University of Kansas, earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 1976 and a Juris Doctor from the KU School of Law in 1980.
Kenneth practiced intellectual property law, primarily as a solo practitioner, until his retirement approximately six years ago. Over his career, he helped numerous inventors secure patent protections for their innovative systems and designs.
Kenneth met his future wife, Susan, while working in New Orleans, Louisiana, and they shared 41 years of marriage.
Kenneth cherished time spent with his family, whether in person or online. He loved engaging in conversation on nearly any topic, reading The Wall Street Journal daily, and cheering on the Kansas City Royals, KU Jayhawks, and Kansas City Chiefs. He also had a special fondness for the many cats he cared for over the years. He was loved by many and will be deeply missed.
Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents, William Iles and Bernice Iles, and his nephew, Brian Howard.
He is survived by his wife, Susan Iles (née Canter); his son, Daniel Iles, and daughter-in-law, Lisa Iles; his grandchildren, Gertrude Iles and Cedric Iles; his twin sister, Martha Howard, and her husband, John Howard; his nephew, Justin Howard, and his wife, Jennifer Blattman; his great-nephews, Max and Cameron Howard; brother-in-law, Robert Canter and his wife, Jacqueline; nephew, Cameron Canter and his wife, Natalie; niece, Katerina Canter; and great nephew, Simon Canter.
