Kenneth O. West, age 79, of 11105 N. River Lane in Cornell, MI, passed away Saturday, August 5, 2017 in Celebration, FL. He was born on January 14, 1938 in Escanaba, the son of F. Oscar and Viola (Irving) West. Ken grew up in Escanaba and graduated from Escanaba High School in 1956. Following graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. National Guard until 1967. Ken married the former Jane Louise LaVasser on April 26, 1958 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Escanaba. Together, the couple shared 59 years of marriage and raised four children. In 1957, he began his lifelong career at the Escanaba Paper Company. Ken started as a laborer and moved up to be Superintendent in Shipping in 1977. He worked at the paper mill until his retirement in 1993. Ken did consulting for several years following his retirement until he ultimately started a handyman business in his gated community in Florida where he enjoyed staying busy helping other people with any need or project they might have.  Ken enjoyed wintering in Florida where along with playing golf, he loved working security at the annual Arnold Palmer Bay Hill Golf Tournament along with the annual PGA Father/Son Challenge tournament, and attending the Orlando Solar Bears hockey games.  In Michigan, Ken enjoyed living in his house on the river in Cornell, golfing and spending time with family.  He loved watching the Green Bay Packers, NMU hockey, and any sport his grandkids were competing in. Ken was a charter member of Christ the King Lutheran Church in Escanaba, a member of Bethany Lutheran Church in Escanaba, the Escanaba Rotary Club, the Escanaba River Association, served on the Escanaba School Board, and also volunteered for “Give Kids the World” in Michigan and in Florida. He was such a loving and giving person who will be missed by so many.

Kenneth O. West is survived by his wife, Jane of Escanaba; four children, Mark (Penny) West of Gladstone, Richard (Toni) West of Gladstone, Pam (Paul) McDonald of Cincinnati, OH, and Susan (Mike) Noel of Iron Mountain; grandchildren, Dave (Casey) Noel, Jim (Jodie) Noel, Ashley Pease, Craig (Katherine) West, Kevin McDonald (fiancé Lauren Theiss), Katie (Andrew) Mendina, Samantha McDonald, Ryan Pepin, Megan McDonald (fiancé Matt Peterson), Mitchel (Patricia) West, and Elena McDonald; great-grandchildren, Clara, Mason, Emmersyn, Ellison, Carter, and Charlie; Sister, Bonnie (Gary) Aderman of Bark River; Uncle, Bud Irving of Escanaba; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Ken was preceded in death by his brother, Bob West.

Visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Friday, August 18, 2017 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Escanaba. Funeral services celebrating the life of Ken will follow at 5:00 p.m., Friday, at Bethany Lutheran Church with Rev. Dean Peterson officiating. A luncheon will be served afterward in the church fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, memorial may be directed to Harstad Rotary Camp or the Delta County Animal Shelter. 

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