COLUMBIA CITY — Kenneth Ray Boggs, 73, South Whitley, passed away at 5:45 a.m. Thursday, March 8, 2018, at his residence.
Born Aug. 3, 1944, in Kosciusko County, he was the son of Ralph and Helen Norris Boggs.
He graduated from Pierceton High School with the Class of 1962. He was drafted into the United States Army in 1965 and was stationed in Germany. Upon being honorably discharged in 1967, he returned home as Sgt. Kenneth R. Boggs.
On April 26, 1975, he married Freda Minnix.
He worked at Medtronic Orthopedics for many years, retiring in 2008 as a supervisor.
Ken was always someone who could light up a room merely by his presence. He was a lover of football and basketball, both college and professional, and he was a diehard fan of IU basketball. He was a beloved and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
He was a mentor and confidant to those whom he drew through sheer positive aura and an almost palpable sense of respect. Ken’s warm heart and easy demeanor caused a reaction of love and respect to ripple among those whose lives he touched. He was also a great mushroom hunter and a real history buff. Ken had a vast gun collection as well.
Survivors include his wife of 43 years and love of his life, Freda Boggs, South Whitley; children: Lori (Jan) Freel, South Whitley; Bobbie (Larry) Muncy, North Manchester; Donna (John Thomas Alford) Heiny, Warsaw; Bill (Dawn) Boggs, South Whitley; and Kelly Boggs, South Whitley; brother, Donald (Carolyn) Boggs, Larwill; godson, Jeff Reed, Montana; 12 grandchildren: Jason (Beth) Egolf, Tasia (Steven) Sprovach, Kyle (Courtney) Boggs, Krissy (Billy) Streby, Brianna Bumbaugh, Kylie (Fred) Church, Kenneth W. Carnegie, Holly Fountain, Haley Fountain, Heather (Joe Morgan) Fountain, Ty (Randi) Freel and Jenniffer (Chad) Ebbinghouse; and 16 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, son Donald E. Boggs, sister Mary Ellen Stillson and brother John Boggs.
Friends may call from 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday, March 11, at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City.
Funeral services will be at noon Monday, March 12, at the funeral home, with Pastor JP Freeman officiating. Private family burial will be in South Whitley Cemetery.
*****
Memorials to MDA or Parkview Hospice.
Visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send condolences to the family.
