Kenneth "Keck" L. Elmore

Kenneth L. Elmore (Keck), age 99, of Waggoner passed away on Friday, April 26 on the family farm just two weeks shy of his 100thbirthday. Kenneth joined his wife of 76 years Virginia A. Elmore who passed away on April 11th.  The only time they had been apart for an extended period of time was when Keck served his country during World War II in the South Pacific with the Army Air Corp.

Keck was born May, 11 1919 in rural Coffeen, the son of Ernest and Mary Eva (Harvey) Elmore.  The majority of his life was spent in the Butler area and he graduated from Hillsboro High School in 1937.  He attended Millikin University for two years before the start of World War II.

 He is survived by two daughters, Kathy Elmore of St. Augustine, FL, and Peggy (Greg) Hampton of Raymond; a son, Ken (Cheri) Elmore of Waggoner; grandchildren, Robert and Krissa Lubben and Brian and Becky Jones, all of St. Louis, MO, Sarah and Mike Makuta of Morton, Kyle Jones of St. Augustine, FL, Anthony Larry of Orlando, FL, Kate and Brett Dabbs of Springfield, Paul Hampton and fiancé Laura Wade of O’Fallon, Missouri, Alex and Amanda Hampton of Litchfield, Sam Elmore and Ailie Elmore, both of Waggoner and eight great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his daughter JoAnne Lubben, great-grandson Keck Hampton, parents and brothers Newell Elmore, Carl Elmore, Bill Elmore, Harvey Elmore, Jim Elmore and sisters Eula Hays, Lois Kimbro, Izola Johnson and Beulah Parker Kimbro.  

Upon Keck’s return from the war, Keck and Virginia farmed in the Waggoner area for over 70 years and raised their family. Keck served on the Montgomery County Soil and Water Conservation District, was employed by the ASCS office, was a member of the Waggoner American Legion and the Farmersville Optimist Club. 

Visitation for Keck will be held on Saturday, May 4thfrom 9 to Noon at Community of Faith Church in Raymond.  Private committal services will be held at Asbury Cemetery, Raymond, Illinois. 

As a child of the Depression, he understood the hardship of people going without the basic necessities therefore, memorials are suggested to the Panhandle Food Pantry where he volunteered many Saturdays.   

Condolences to the family may be left at www.houghfuneralhome.com. 
Hough Funeral Home in Raymond is assisting the family.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.