Kenneth Mart Hevalow

Kenneth M. Hevalow, 91, of Parkville, Missouri, passed away peacefully at his home on September 19, 2026, surrounded by his family. Kenneth was born on February 15, 1935 in Parkville, Missouri, to Lawrence and Lola (Hundley) Hevalow. He was one of nineteen children. He married the love of his life Sylvia Louise Swigelson on June 26, 1954 and they shared an amazing journey together for nearly 7 decades.

Kenneth worked hard at a variety of jobs including truck gardening, farming, agricultural refinery work, fireworks stands, home building construction, and waterline construction. Alongside his wife, he co-founded K & S Construction Company in 1968 and served as President. His business maintained local water districts, brought waterlines to rural communities, and installed water and sewer services to new home construction and housing developments.

Kenneth was an avid fisherman and enjoyed his annual fishing trips to God’s Lake and God’s River for Northern Pike, Walleye, Lake Trout, and Brook Trout in Manitoba, Canada. After a fishing trip, he would host a huge fish fry at his home for his family and friends. He also enjoyed elk and bear hunting in Canada, quail and pheasant hunting, and European pheasant hunts. Kenneth shared his love for fishing and hunting with his sons, grandsons, family, and friends.

Every Spring, Kenneth looked forward to morel mushroom hunting. He had his ‘honey holes’ and ‘super top secret spots’ that he visited on his childhood farm. When asked where he found them, he would reply “in the woods”. He was interviewed and photographed in newspaper articles for his ability to find the mighty morels. He said he could “smell them”! He supplied his family with numerous mushroom feasts.

As a father of four children, Kenneth instilled in them the importance of a strong work ethic and good business and financial sense. He enjoyed watching the Lone Ranger and Family Feud, telling stories and was known to slightly stretch details, his use of ‘colorful language’, and listening to the Kansas City Royals and Chiefs football broadcasts on his transistor radio. He will be remembered for his generosity and support. He enjoyed bluegrass and classic country western music, ocean cruises, collecting antiques, percolated coffee, dark chocolate, and Werther’s Original caramels.

Kenneth is preceded in death by his wife, Sylvia Hevalow, one grandchild Jennifer Ann Loy, his parents Lawrence and Lola Hevalow, his sisters: Shirley Jo, Nina, Layle, Norma, Faye, Velma, Genevieve, and an unnamed baby girl; brothers: Lawrence, Richard, Galien, Merlin, Billy, Charles, Donald, and Dickey. He is survived by his four children: Thomas Hevalow (Robin) of Parkville, Brenda Loy of Parkville, Kevin Hevalow (Jennifer) of McAlester, Oklahoma, and Ann Adkins (Randy) of Kearney. He is also survived by two brothers: Tommy Hevalow (Connie) of Smithville, and Garry Hevalow (Mary) of Belle Plaine, IA. Kenneth leaves behind seven grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to be made to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to Ascend Hospice and Preferred Care at Home, for their unwavering dedication and compassion during Kenneth’s final days.

Visitation will be 12-1 p.m. followed by a Funeral Service at 1 p.m., Wednesday, September 23 at Fellowship of Grace Church, 8501 Tom Watson Parkway, Parkville, MO 64152. Committal service will follow at White Chapel Cemetery, 6600 NE Antioch Rd., Gladstone, MO 64119.