NORTH WEBSTER – Kenneth L. “Ken” Gillenwater, 64, Pierceton, passed away at 3:45 a.m. June 5, 2015, in Albion. He was born Aug. 7, 1950, in Bluefield, W. Va., to George and Josephine Rose Gillenwater. On Sept. 1, 1987, in Tazewell, Va., he married Kellie J. Carpenter, who survives. He grew up in Bluefield, W. Va. He graduated in 1968 from Norfolk High School in Norfolk, Va., and in 1970 from Bluefield College. He was a U.S. Army veteran. He was the former owner and operator of Lions Academy in North Webster, where he served as the martial arts instructor for nearly 30 years, and he was also in a traveling band for many years. He moved to the Pierceton and North Webster area 30 years ago from Mishawaka. He was a member of the American Legion Post 253 in North Webster and former member of the North Webster Lions Club. Also surviving are a daughter, Kimberly (and spouse Chad) Brennaman, Syracuse; a son, Josh (and fiancee Vanessa Uzubell) Gillenwater, North Webster; three grandchildren: Madison and Kingston Brennaman and Delilah Howey; his mother, Josephine Gillenwater, Princeton, W. Va.; and sister, Tina Gillenwater, Occoquan, Va. He was preceded in death by his father and a sister, Marsha Gillenwater. Services are at 7 p.m. Saturday at Owen Family Funeral Home, Ind. 13 and CR 500N, North Webster. Military services will follow at the funeral home by North Webster American Legion Post 253. Cremation will follow at Cremation Services of Kosciusko County, Warsaw. Calling is from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. ***** Memorials to the ALS Association (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), Gift Processing Center, P.O. Box 6051, Albert Lea, MN. 56007. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Condolences via www.owenfamilyfuneralhome.com
