Kenneth Fay Bathrick
Kenneth Fay Bathrick, 83, Rochester, passed away at 5:52 a.m., Friday, Nov. 24, 2017, at Kosciusko Community Hospital of Warsaw.
Ken was born in Muskegon, Mich. on April 29, 1934. He was the oldest of nine children born to Fay Jasper and Mildred Elizabeth Grossenbacher Bathrick. In September of 1948 the Bathrick family moved from Muskegon to Rochester as one of 17 families to establish Sealed Power Corporation.
Ken graduated from Rochester High School with the class of 1952 then started working at Sealed Power. He was called to serve two years in the U.S. Army, and served 16 months in Korea as an engineer. When he was discharged, he married Marlene Reed on Dec. 6, 1958 and returned to Sealed Power.
The extended Bathrick family – including Ken’s father, Fay, Ken’s brother, Gordon, and Ken’s son, Kerry – collectively contributed to many years of experience to the company in both Muskegon and Rochester. Ken worked at Sealed Power for 44 years, the last 20 as Plant and Maintenance Engineer, retiring shortly before their buyout. For several years, Ken and Marlene also owned Ken’s Sharpening and Power Tool Repair.
Kenny and Marlene have shared nearly 59 years of life’s adventures and had two children, Carmen and Kerry. Soon after marriage they bought their first boat and enjoyed boating their entire lives. They often fished on Lake Michigan, and also camped as a family in their Starcraft cabin cruiser on trips to Kentucky Lake, along the St. Lawrence Seaway, on the Muskegon River, and many other waterways. As they outgrew camping on the boat, they progressed to camping with RVs and traveled to nearly all of the 48 mainland states, continuing into their retirement. One of their first retirement projects was buying and remodeling a property at Lake of the Woods in Bremen. Since 1999 they have wintered in Okeechobee, Florida where they enjoyed fishing and visits from family members and friends. In his retirement, Kenny began wood carving and especially enjoyed humorous figurines and was a member of a local carving club.
While Ken was known for his hard work, attention to detail, and willingness to help others, he was probably best known for his beautiful 1931 Model A Ford Coupe. He purchased it after graduation from high school and drove it until the early 1970s, when he stored it for a future project. In 2000 he began painstakingly restoring it from the frame up, using parts from his daughter’s wrecked Mustang. He and Marlene enjoyed taking the restored Model A to parades as well as car shows and won many awards over the years. The Model A was only one example of Ken’s craftsmanship and ingenuity. His family, friends, and neighbors all relied on him regularly to repair nearly anything or to recommend practical solutions to solve mechanical or electrical problems. In his retirement years, he also drew upon special inspiration to create thoughtful heirloom pieces and toys for his grandchildren.
Kenny was actively involved in churches throughout his life. He and Marlene helped to build Hillcrest Baptist Church, attended Talma Bible Church for several years, and have been members of Riverview Community Church since its start. They also regularly attended Oakview Baptist Church while wintering in Okeechobee.
Left to cherish Kenny’s memory are his wife, Marlene; a daughter, Carmen J. Paris and husband Randy of Winona Lake; a son, Kerry L. Bathrick and wife Anna of Oak Park, Ill.; and four grandchildren: Madelyn and Landon Paris, Elaina Bathrick and Jack Kenneth Bathrick; a brother, Keith Bathrick and wife Carolyn; five sisters: Karen Gibson and husband Dan of Snohomish, Wash., Arlene Hounshell, Marilyn Townsend, Carolyn Wagoner and husband Jim, Gail Hayden and husband Mark; and a brother-in-law, Bill Adams, all of Rochester. Many treasured nieces and nephews also survive, along with four beloved sisters of Marlene and their husbands.
Preceding Ken in death are his parents; his in-laws, Howard and Lucy Reed; a sister, Ardith Adams; a brother, Gordon Bathrick and wife Diane; and brother-in-law Dee Hounshell.
Pastor Rod Ruberg will officiate services.