Kenneth E. "Kenny" Flener Obituary (1926 - 2019)

Kenneth E. "Kenny" Flener, 92, of Bloomington, passed away at 2:46 p.m. Friday, October 25, 2019 at the OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home, Peoria, Illinois. His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, October 30, 2019 at Epiphany Catholic Church in Normal, with Rev. Joseph Baker officiating. Military rites will be accorded by the Bloomington-Normal American Legion Honor Guard. Interment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery, Normal. Visitation will be from 8:30-11 a.m. Wednesday, October 30, 2019 at the church. He was born on December 12, 1926 in Butler County, Kentucky, the son of Hillory and Enola Flener. He married Veronica T. "Roni" Miller on June 27, 1953 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Wenona. She preceded him in death on August 20, 2016. Surviving is one sister, Annetta Parker of Loves Park, Illinois and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son, David Patrick Flener; two brothers, Curtis Flener and Velda Ray Flener; and two sisters, Freda Lipka and Margaret Whitaker. Kenny attended Mackinaw High School and served in the US Army from April 1946 to November 1947 in the Army Engineers 1290th Combat Division. A self-taught craftsman and businessman, he was a self- employed mason contractor for 20 years, retiring to drive for Darnall Concrete Products for 20 more years. Kenny was a member of Epiphany Catholic Church in Normal and served as an usher. In 1957 he joined the Father John D. Ring Knights of Columbus Council #574 in Bloomington and in 1973 he joined the Father Thomas Carmody Knights of Columbus Council #6498 in Normal. Kenny received many "Knight of the Month" awards plus several "Knight of the Year" awards and also received the "Knight of Knight" award for 2011. Kenny volunteered at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center for 24 years, where he received the "Volunteer of the Year" award, the President's award and an 8000 hours pin. Kenny loved working in his workshop. He spent countless hours repairing and refurbishing furniture and tools for Habitat for Humanity, making game boards and creating solutions to any problem that came his way. He will be missed by his condo association as their all around handyman. Kenny never knew a stranger. He will be missed by all who knew his compassion, wit and love for story telling. Memorial contributions in his honor may be given to St. Joseph Medical Center, 2200 E. Washington St., Bloomington, IL 61701 or Epiphany Catholic Church, 1000 E. College Ave., Normal, IL 61761.