Kenneth Little

He was 99 years of age and will be remembered for having lived a long, wonderful life as a devoted husband, parent, friend and patriot.

Kenny was born on Sept 22, 1911 to Herman Little and Mina (Clough) Little in Darwin, Illinois. He had one sister, Dema (Little) Nightlinger who preceded him in death.

After graduating from high school in Marshall, Illinois, Kenny worked to be able to buy his first service station in Martinsville where he began his lifelong profession as an owner/operator of gas stations. On October 1st 1936, Kenny married Alice Geheb in Marshall, IL. They were a great team for over 71 years, working side by side to operate their business and care for their family. Alice preceded him in death in 2008.

Alice and Kenny have two children: Robert K. Little (wife-Sandra Gard Little) of Austin, Texas and A. Ann Little Reif (husband-David Reif) of Lake Ozark, Missouri; two grandchildren, Kent Little (wife -Jennifer Stowe) and Allyson Little McBreen (husband -Kevin McBreen); and three great grandchildren all of Austin, Texas. Kenneth also leaves behind two nieces, Rose Eakins of Ruskin, Florida; Barbara Clark Pancake of Marshall, Illinois and one nephew, Denny Clark of Indianapolis, Indiana, and many friends.

Kenny was a Life Member of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars and was forever a patriot, proud of his service to his Country. He served in the U.S. Army from 1942 to 1945 and saw active duty service in Europe during WWII. He continued to serve in the Army Reserves until 1951 when he honorably left the Service with the rank of Sgt. First Class.

During his years in Marshall, Kenny was very active in his children’s lives through Scouts and 4-H and in the community. He was elected as a Clark County Supervisor and served on the Marshall Volunteer Fire Department.

After retiring, Kenny and Alice moved to Naples, Florida where they spent their time camping, fishing, traveling, following sports and enjoying the company of their friends. Kenny had time to pursue his hobby of wood working and began building wooden toys and numerous decorative items for all to enjoy. In 1999 Kenny and Alice moved to Austin, Texas to be near family.

Kenny never ceased to help others, support his community, and was always a proud American. To the very end, he remained interested in current events, reading the paper, and watching sports. He always enjoyed family and family events and often commented with a laugh, as he surveyed a room full of family that he started “this mess.” Everyone who knew him agrees, Kenny enjoyed a wonderful, long life marked with many memories and the legacy of family and friends. In the end he just ran out of gas……

Family and friends will be received at Pearce Funeral Home, 314 South 6th St., Marshall, IL, 62441 on Tuesday, December 28 from 5:00 - 7:00 P.M. Funeral will be Wednesday, December 29 at 10:30 A.M. Interment to follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Marshall.

In lieu of flowers, the family request any condolence donations be made to either the Wounded Warriors Project, www.woundwarriorproject.org; or to either the Marshall, IL American Legion Post 90 or the VFW Post 5975 designated for Marshall Student Scholarships in memory of Kenneth Little.