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Kenneth “Ken” Chase Sr.
CLINTON — Kenneth “Ken” Chase Sr., age 89, of Clinton, died Monday, November 30, 2009, at the Eagle Point Nursing Home in Clinton. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Thursday, December 3rd, at the Pape Funeral Home where funeral services will be held at 6:00 p.m. Burial will be in Springdale Cemetery on Friday at 9:00 a.m.
Ken was born in Savanna, IL, on November 8, 1920, the son of William Henry and Minnie May Herbig Chase. Ken attended Savanna Township High School. He served with the U.S. Army during W.W. II. Ken served in the 172nd Infantry in the Philippines and in campaigns in New Guinea and Luzon. He received 3 bronze battle stars and 4 overseas service bars. Ken married Helen Elizabeth Hopkins in Savanna, IL. He later married Betty Thomas Witt on April 9, 1985, in Morrison.
Ken was an engineer with the Milwaukee Railroad. He had also been employed with Burpee Seed, Chemplex and as property manager at Prairie Village in Clinton and Pheasant Hills in DeWitt. He was a member of Transportation Workers of America and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Fireman and Engineers Union. He built a number of homes and loved wood working.
Ken is survived by his wife, Betty; two sons, Ken (Sue) Chase of Wesley Chapel, FL, and Kevin (Barb) Chase of Clinton; stepsons, Larry (Vicky) Witt of Davenport, Dave (Chrissy) Witt of Castle Rock, CO, Doug (Jill) Witt and Jeff (Lisa) Witt both of Clinton; stepdaughters, Barb (Daryl) Hook of Morrison and Judy (Darryl) Sexton and Rita (Mark) Walton both of Clinton; 28 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by three half brothers, two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Death date: Nov. 30, 2009
