Kenneth Berkebile

Name: Kenneth Berkebile

Calling Hours: Friday, November 27th from 2 to 8 pm at the Weigel Funeral Home in Swanton

Service Hours: Saturday, November 28th at 11:00 am in the Funeral Home

Kenneth Berkebile, age 92, of Swanton, Ohio, passed away at his home, Tuesday evening, November 24, 2009, surrounded by his loving family. He was born May 31, 1917 in Spencer Township to Alonzo and Sarah (Matzinger) Berkebile. He married Leona Barnes on September 16, 1939.

Kenneth was a 1935 graduate of Swanton High School and served in the U.S. Army during WWII. He served in China-Burma-India with the Army Engineers, 1905th Battalion Co. B, who built the Ledo Road. In June of 2008, he had the honor of visiting the WWII Memorial with his grandson, Brian, as his guardian, thanks to Honor Flight of Northwest Ohio.

Kenneth was a truck driver for A & P Tea Co. for 37 years and Scottdel for 8 years. He enjoyed camping and spending summer weekends at Vineyard and Cryspell Lakes in Michigan, and Jellystone Park in Fremont, Indiana. He was an avid bowler for many years in Toledo and Swanton.

He was a member of Swanton American Legion Post #479, where he served many years as finance officer and Trustee, and paid tribute to his comrades by serving with the Honor Guard. He also was a member of VFW Swanton Memorial Post #8598. He joined the Masonic Lodge in 1946, and was charter member of the Swanton Elks, where he was very active in his early years, serving as chairman and working many of the lodge’s chicken BBQs. Kenneth was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church as well.

He is survived by his son, Ron (Polly) Berkebile; daughters, Janice (Dave) Biehl and Pat (Jeff) Tolford; grandchildren, Brian (Lisa) Berkebile, Sarah (Michael Kramer) Biehl, Deborah (Adam) Covault, Jennifer (Rich) Abraham, Jeffrey (Jennifer) Tolford, Kendra (Jake) Reichert, and David (Amanda) Tolford; 8 great-grandchildren; and his loving companion, Helen Mikola.

Kenneth was preceded in death by his wife, Leona; daughter, Sharon Ruth Berkebile; and grandson, Tim Berkebile.

Friends and family may visit Friday, November 27th from 2 to 8 p.m. at the Weigel Funeral Home in Swanton, where Masonic services will be held at 7:30 p.m. Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 28th at 11:00 a.m. in the funeral home, with Rev. Brian Haller officiating. Interment will follow at East Swanton Cemetery with Military Honors.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Northwest Ohio, Swanton Public Library, or a charity of the donor’s choice.

Residence: Swanton, Ohio

Interment: East Swanton Cemetery