Kenneth Dean Chamness

Elkville – Kenneth Dean Chamness, 72, passed away on Friday, March 3, 2017 in Memorial Hospital of Carbondale.



Kenneth was born on September 12, 1944 in Carbondale to Ray Lee and Seba Marie (Cannon) Chamness. He married Joyce Ann McKinney on December 18, 1965 in Carbondale.



Kenneth is survived by his loving wife of over fifty years, Joyce Chamness; son and daughter-in-law, David and Laura Chamness of Makanda; granddaughters, Marin and Gavin Chamness; sisters, Virginia Stacks of Herrin and Kay Tuttle of Murphysboro; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.



He is preceded in death by his brothers, Ronald Chamness and Charley “Charles” Chamness; and sister, Margaret Chamness.



Kenneth served his country in the U.S. Air Force being honorably discharged in 1965. He worked as a telecommunication electrician for over 36 years starting with GTE and ending with Frontier. He was a member of the Elkville Christian Church and the IBEW Local 702 Union. Kenneth enjoyed cooking and baking his famous pies and spending time outdoors. He especially loved to fish and was fond of saying, “The worst day fishing is better than any day at work.” He was always there to help others in need and was loved by all who met him.



Services for Kenneth will be at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, March 7, 2017 at the Elkville Christian Church with Brother Jerry Aken officiating. Burial will follow in McKinney Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6-8pm on Monday, March 6 at the Elkville Christian Church.



Memorials are the preferred form of remembrance and may be made to the ECC Food Pantry and will be accepted at the church.