Bernard James “Bernie” Kenyon, 90, of Festus died Jan. 21, 2026, at his home. Mr. Kenyon was a retired deputy clerk of the city of Columbus, Ohio, a veteran of the U.S. Navy and a member of the Columbus Ohio Submarine Vets Club and the American Legion post 253 in Festus. He was known to keep his mind sharp and youthful by playing the Missouri Lottery Second Chance Program. His daughter and good friend, William Kinder of Festus, collected used lottery tickets from convenience stores in the Festus/Crystal City/Herculaneum areas, as well as other Jefferson and St Louis County locations. Both his daughter and William collected at the eight stores each night, up to hundreds of tickets for him to play the lottery game. Mr. Kenyon made good friends at the stores who enjoyed hearing about his stories when he got too old to travel and respectfully called him “the Kingpin.” Born April 28, 1935, in Alto, Mich., he was the son of the late Beatrice Helen (Pitsch) and Henry Ralph Kenyon.
He was preceded in death by his wife: Elizabeth Ann (Abbott) Kenyon.
He is survived by a daughter: Kara Kenyon of Festus; a son: B.J. (Carrie) Kenyon of Ballwin; a sister: Marylin Kenyon of Wayland, Mich.; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and numerous other family members and friends.
He also was preceded in death by two brothers: Lee Anthony Kenyon and Harry Kenyon; and three sisters: Rose Kenyon, Louise Price and Nancy Kenyon.
Services will be private. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Festus Food Pantry, make checks payable to FUMC Food Pantry, 113 Grand, Festus, 63028, or Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network or BCAN, 4520 East-West Highway, Suite 610, Bethesda, MD 20814 or online at bcan.org/?form=evergreen-donate. Arrangements are under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Home.