Kenneth DeSplinter

ANNAWAN — Kenneth J. DeSplinter, 66, of rural Annawan died Sunday, May 3, 2009, at Northwest Memorial Hospital in Chicago.

Kenneth was born Oct. 22, 1942, in Geneseo, the son of Ryburn and Catherine (Dupre) DeSplinter. He was a 1960 graduate of Tampico High School. Kenneth was united in marriage to Rhonda Hodel on April 6, 1979, in Kewanee.

He was a longtime farmer and livestock producer in rural Annawan. Kenneth was a member of the Elks Lodge, Kewanee, Henry County Farm Bureau, and Henry County Pork Producers. He was an avid gun collector and enjoyed hunting and fishing. Kenneth loved Minneapolis-Moline, and going to auctions.

Survivors include his wife, Rhonda; two daughters, Mary (Troy) Rasmussen of Rock Falls and Randi (James) Winfree of Geneseo; four sons, Jeff (Tina) DeSplinter of Wyanet, Joe (Susan) DeSplinter of Geneseo, Jesse DeSplinter (fiancée Amanda) of Elmhurst and Cody Hodel of Atkinson; 13 grandchildren; his mother, Catherine DeSplinter of Sterling; and three sisters, Bonnie (Willis) Fry of Utica, Cindy Hermann of Pine, Colo., and Kris (Greg) Anders of Dunlap.

He was preceded in death by his father in 2003.

Funeral services celebrating his life will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Vandemore Funeral Home, Atkinson, with Deacon Nick Simon officiating. Burial will be in the Hooppole Cemetery.

Family and friends of Kenneth may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be left to the Illinois 4-H Foundation or the Illinois FFA Foundation.

View a celebration of life video and share a message of sympathy with Kenneth’s family at www.vandemorefuneralhome.com.