Kenneth E Scogin

EAST PEORIA ~ Kenneth E. Scogin, 86, of 500 Centennial Drive, passed away at 7:50 p.m. Saturday, February 7, 2009 at his residence. He was formerly of Pekin.Born April 8, 1922 in Wapella to Joseph W. and Margaret E. (Winters) Scogin, he married Shirley May Crawford on April 6, 1947 in Pekin. She died March 6, 1992 in Ashville, North Carolina. He also was preceded in death by his parents.Surviving are two sons, Duane A. (Debby) Scogin of Kalamazoo, Michigan and Dale E. (Jackie) Scogin of Peoria; two daughters, Carol A. (Alan) Oliver of Washington and Nancy R. (Dan) Kuhl of Slidell, Louisiana; eleven grandchildren, Matthew (Sarah) Scogin of Charlotte, NC, Timothy Scogin of Grand Rapids, MI, Alice Scogin, Samuel Scogin, both of Kalamazoo, MI, Joanne (Ben) Miller of Bloomington, Valerie (Todd) Irions of Washington, Andrew Oliver of New York City, NY, Holly (Jeff) Brooks of East Peoria, Bradley Scogin, Audrey Scogin, both of Peoria and Joseph (Melissa) Schriber of New Orleans, LA; thirteen great-grandchildren and one sister, Lois Eertmoed of Pekin.A 1941 graduate of Pekin Community High School, he graduated in 1949 from Bradley University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Arts. Kenny was a World War II Navy veteran. He served on the ground crew at Navy air training stations in Glenview and at Ottumwa, Iowa. He then served aboard the destroyer USS Robert H. Smith, a mine layer, as a sonar man in the Pacific Theater. He took part in the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa and was honorably discharged in 1946.He worked for Caterpillar, Inc. as a detail draftsman in the engineering department for 34 years, retiring on January 1, 1983.Kenny was an active member of Grace United Methodist Church in Pekin, where he was a charter member of the Tri-M Adult Sunday school class. He also was a member of United Methodist Men and the Friendship Club at the church. He served on many committees of the church, including church & society, education, history, memorial, nominating and worship. Kenny was a longtime secretary of the Sunday school department and Head Usher of the 10:45 a.m. Sunday worship service.Concerned with outreach, Kenny volunteered many years with Church World Service as a coordinator for Grace Church in Pekin's Annual CROP hunger walk. He also was active for many years with Project Concern Walks for Mankind. He served nearly 20 years as a volunteer escort at Pekin Hospital and also delivered books for Pekin Public Library as a member of the Friends of the Library to area nursing homes. In 1988, he was recognized by the Salvation Army for his volunteerism.Kenny enjoyed traveling and developed a passion for theater, both attending shows and working backstage. From 1970 through 2000, he worked on Caterpillar Employee Mixed Chorus musical productions. He also helped with musicals at Peoria Corn Stock Theater. His funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, February 13, 2009at Grace United Methodist Church in Pekin. The Rev. Gary L. Ford will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday,February 12, 2009at Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel, and also from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. Friday at the church. Burial will be in Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin, with military rites accorded by the United States Navy and the Tazewell Military Rites Team.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Grace United Methodist Church, 503 North 4th Street, Pekin, IL 61554 or to American Cancer Society, 4234 North Knoxville Avenue, Peoria, IL 61614.