Kenneth Merle "Ken" Kingery, Sr.

Kenneth Merle “Ken” Kingery Sr. went home to be with God on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at Big Meadows Nursing Home in Savanna, with his family by his side. A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 p.m., on Saturday, January 31, 2026 at Manny’s Pizza in Savanna, IL.

Ken was born to Merle and Rachel (Bork) Kingery and was raised on a farm in the Lanark area. From the beginning, he was known as a hard worker—steady, capable, and dependable. He attended Lanark High School with the Class of 1957, and at just 17 years old he chose to step into adult life early, going to work in construction alongside his father.

In 1965, Ken was working on a farm where Ursula Mehring lived after immigrating from Germany with her son. Ken, already a father of four, and Ursula became friends, and on January 22, 1966 they were married—creating a blended family that became the center of Ken’s world. Together, they welcomed a son, Joseph, and raised six children. Ken and Ursula shared nearly 60 years of marriage, built on loyalty, laughter, and the kind of love that stays strong through every season of life. He was a devoted husband, a proud father, and a grandfather to 23 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.

Ken’s working years reflected both skill and grit. He began as a mechanic and became especially good at tractor painting and restoration. In 1961, he moved into bulldozing and construction work, later operating heavy equipment for Tautz Brothers and maintaining roads at Lake Carroll for several years. In 1983, he found his calling in public service when he became the Road Commissioner for Mount Carroll Township—a role he devoted himself to for 30 years. He also served as a director of the Northwest Highway Commissioner Association for 12 years and as president of the Carroll County Highway Commission for 10 years, and he was involved with the sheriff’s radio patrol as well. Ken didn’t seek recognition; he simply believed in showing up and taking care of what needed done.

Outside of work, Ken enjoyed the simple things: a good day of fishing, time on the golf course, and many hours bowling. In retirement, he found real joy in feeding and watching birds—faithfully filling feeders no matter the weather. He also had a soft spot for cats, especially a white cat and her six kittens that happily became part of the Kingery home.

Even near the end, Ken spoke from the heart. He told Ursula, “I always loved you. We’ll see each other in heaven.”

Ken will be dearly missed by his wife, Ursula Kingery of Mt. Carroll; his children, Robert (Julie) Kingery of Mt Carroll, Cindy (Jim) Meng of Prairie du Chein, Wi, Ken (Arlene) Kingery of Freeport, Wesley (Vicki) Kingery of Deland, FL and Joe Kingery of Fulton. ; 23 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; and his siblings, Jerry (Sharon) Kingery of Lanark, Phyllis (Bob) Vock of Shannon, MaryAnn (Ernie) Johnson of Savanna, Marleen Eckberg of Lanark and Glenalee Brown of Lanark. He was preceded in death by his son, Tim; brother in-law, John Eckberg and his parents, Merle and Rachel Kingery.