Kenneth Eugene Keener, 97, of Columbia City, passed away at 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015, at Miller’s Merry Manor, Columbia City.

Born Sept. 19, 1918, in Pierceton, he was the son of Forest Merlin and Anna Marie (Grindle) Keener.

He was born in Pierceton and later moved to Barbee Lake and in December 1998 he moved to Columbia City. He graduated from Pierceton High School with the Class of 1938 and went on to serve in the U.S. Army during World War II, where he was awarded a Bronze Star along with a Purple Heart.

On June 30, 1940, he married Mary L. Bowman in Pierceton. He worked at Dalton Foundry in Warsaw and seven years at Pletcher’s Grocery in Pierceton and then worked as a Cabinet Maker for the RV Industry in Milford and Syracuse, retiring in the mid 1980s.

Survivors include his son: Jack (Kristine) Keener of Middlebury; daughter-in-law: Cheryl Keener of Columbia City; eight grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and two great- great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife: Mary Keener; son: Ted Keener; brothers: Francis Keener and Merlin Keener; and sister: Virginia May Snyder.

Visitation is from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17, at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home with Certified Funeral Celebrant Sharon Brockaus officiating. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Cemetery, Pierceton.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Parkview Whitley Home Health Care and Hospice or Honor Flight, Inc. “The family would like to thank the nursing staff and management of Miller’s Merry Manor for their wonderful care.”