Keith Kennedy Jr., 85, of Hillsboro died Oct. 5, 2017, at Mercy Hospital Jefferson in Crystal City. Mr. Kennedy loved fishing, hunting, gardening and woodworking. He was an outstanding musician and played in many community bands in Jefferson County and the Dixielanders, and the Bonita Village Bands in Florida. For most of his career he was the president of Farm Credit Banks and the president of Sunmark. Born Oct. 21, 1931, in Tuckerman, Ark., he was the son of the late Ruby (Perry) and Keith Kennedy Sr. He was preceded in death by his former spouse: Wilma (Nicks) Kennedy.
He is survived by his wife: Shirley (Nolte) Kennedy of Hillsboro; three children: Cindy (Michael) Miller of De Soto, Keith (Paula) Kennedy III of Barnhart and Mark (Michael) Kennedy of Little Rock, Ark.; six grandchildren: Valleri (Tim) Wingbermuehle, Erin (Jon) Shulan, Cara Vonder Bruegge, Jacob Vonder Bruegge, Hannah (Jon) Peterson and Keith (Hannah) Kennedy IV; seven great-grandchildren: Brock, Kennedy, Reese, Eli, Poppy, August and Charlie, with another on the way; one sibling: Kern (Leah) Kennedy of Austin, Ark.; and many friends.
Visitation is scheduled from 3-8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 9 at Chapel Hill Mortuary, 6300 Hwy. 30, in Cedar Hill. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10, at De Soto Church of Christ, 4523 Hwy. 110, in De Soto. Burial will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 11, at Gracelawn Cemetery in Tuckerman, Ark. Memorials may be made to a scholarship fund in the name of Keith Kennedy Jr., c/o American Legion Post 253, 849 American Legion Drive, Festus, 63028. Arrangements are under the direction of Chapel Hill Mortuary.