Kitchen A. Kenneth

Kenneth A. Kitchen, Jr.November 4, 1935 - January 16, 2011 Kenneth Arthur Kitchen, Jr., 75, of Deshler, Ohio died Sunday, January 16, 2011 at his residence. He was born November 4, 1935 in Putnam County, Ohio to the late Kenneth and Edna (Wilson) Kitchen. On November 11, 1956 he married Joanne M. Peterson and they were later divorced. Kenneth was a 1953 graduate of Leipsic High School. He worked as a machinist at Campbell Soup Company, Napoleon for over 40 years; retiring in 1995. He previously worked for the Suber Foundry, Deshler. He was a member of the former Belmore United Methodist Church; UFCW Union; and a former troop leader for Boy Scout Troop #68, Deshler. Kenneth spent a lot of his free time around a motor or an automobile. During the 1950 and 1960's; Kitch was a builder and mechanic of sprint cars. Along with his friends and family; they often raced at Millstream, Findlay; Lima Land and Fremont, Ohio. He also built street rods and antique trucks and attended many cruise-ins and car shows. His passion for racing continued when he assisted his grandchildren with go-carts when they formerly raced in Deshler. Over the years he enjoyed motorcycles and owned both a Honda Gold Wing and Harley Davidson. He is survived by children, Sharon (Scott) Smith, Deshler; Michael Kitchen, Deshler and Bradley (Patty) Kitchen, Deshler; 10 grandchildren, Deena (Faustino) Almanza, Heather (Gary) Rader, Shane (Jane) Harper, Haley (Nick) Schnipke, Patrick Petersen, Ryan (Stephanie) Petersen, Todd (Erin) Smith, Jennifer (Tim) Guelde, Clint Smith and Gregory Smith; 22 great grandchildren, Devon, Alexis, Joshua, Jacob, Gabriel, Madison, Morgan, Ashley, Kaiden, Mason, Brett, Kierestin, Tori, Brayden, Behnjamin, Thomas, Grant, Jakob, Laila, Jaxson, Sophie and Macy. He was also preceded in death by a sister, Sharon Marie Kitchen and his former wife, Joanne Kitchen. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday at Rodenberger Funeral Home, Deshler, with Rev. Bill Patterson. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery, Deshler. Visitation will be from 2-9 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home. The family suggests memorials to Deshler Fire Department or Deshler EMS. Online condolences can be made at www.rodenbergerfuneralhome.com.

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Kitchen A. Kenneth

January 16, 2011