Kenneth J. (Ken) Gillespie

Kenneth J. (Ken) Gillespie, 87, of Leawood, Kansas, passed away Monday, July 21, 2014. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, July 24th, 10:00 a.m., at Christ the King Catholic Church, 8510 Wornall Road, Kansas City, MO, with entombment following in Resurrection Cemetery. Visitation will be held Thursday, July 24th, from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m., prior to the mass, where the Rosary will be prayed at 9:00 a.m.

Ken was born October 8, 1926, to Freda Meditz, a single parent, but was adopted by Pauline and Edward Gillespie. He graduated from Ward High School and then entered the Navy and served on the Escort Carrier USS Sargent Bay in the South Pacific. Upon returning to civilian life he went to work for Armour and Company meat packing plant for 18½ years to the day, serving first as paymaster from 1952 to 1960, then employment manager from 1960 to plant closure in 1965. In 1952, he married Bernice (Bena) Marrone. They had no children, however, they did love Bernice’s niece as their biological daughter. After Armour closed, Ken went to work for American Neon Supply Company for 20 years. He became branch manager and served on the Board of the Kansas Sign Association and also on the Missouri Sign Association. He then retired in 1988 due to ill health. Ken loved to work with his hands and repair whatever was broken. Some folks say he made some of the most beautiful and unusual rosaries they had ever seen.

Ken leaves his wife, Bernice of 62 years; niece, Mary Jo (Angelo) Casa, two surrogate grandsons, Dominic (Susanne) Casa, and Anthony (Lauren) Casa; and great-grandsons, Joseph Casa and Austin Blair.