Kenneth Dean Eshelman, 93, passed away from this life on December 15, 2018 at St. Luke’s East Hospital in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. Visitation will be 1 p.m. Friday, December 21, 2018 at McLaren’s Chapel in West Des Moines. Funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. with the Order of Eastern Star and Masonic Services. Burial will be at Resthaven Cemetery with Military Honors.
Kenneth was born June 3, 1925 near Bridgewater, Iowa to Earl Edwin and Vera Caroline (Ray) Eshelman. After graduation from Fontanelle High School in 1943, Kenneth joined the U.S. Navy and underwent naval training at Great Lakes, Chicago, Illinois and San Diego, California. Following W.W.II, Kenneth married his sweetheart, Mary Alice Sparling, on March 9, 1947, whom he had met at her family’s restaurant in Adair. They set up their home on the Eshelman family farm where they remained several years and where all four of their children were born. Kenneth and Mary Alice later moved to West Des Moines where Kenneth attended AIB and then worked for Preferred Risk, Iowa Supreme Court and CDS Global as an accountant. After retirement Kenneth worked as an Estate Auctioneer.
Kenneth and his wife Mary Alice were long time members of the West Des Moines United Methodist Church. Among other organizations, Kenneth served as Grand Chaplain of the Masonic Grand Lodge State of Iowa, Master of Gnemeth Lodge 577 AF & AM in West Des Moines, as Worthy Patron Iowa Order of the Eastern Star, as a member of the E.C. Blackmar Chapter OES in Burlington, Scottish Rite, and as a member of the Board Of Directors of the Eastern Star Masonic Home in Boone, Iowa.
Kenneth is survived by his children; Dale (Janice), Dean (Tonia), Janel Baker, and David; eight grandchildren, and twelve great grandchildren.
Dale (Janice); Diana (Greg) Houlle and their children, Hailey and Zachary, Lori (Nick) Matheus all of Kansas City, MO, and Jason (Jessie) and their children Olivia and Alyssa all of Washington, MO.
Dean (Tonia); Theresa Ellsworth, Festus, MO and her children, Zachary (Sara) Giambalvo, Imperial, MO, Kyle Giambalvo and Hunter Ellsworth both of Festus, MO, and, Eric (Candace) Hahn and their children Alexis and Nolan all of Pevely, MO, and Carrie (Christopher) Sewell and their children, Austin, Elaine, and Elijah all of Crystal City, MO.
David; Ryan (Jill) Eshelman of McKinney, TX, and Sarah Eshelman of Inver Grove Heights, MN.
Kenneth was preceded in death by his wife of 69 years, Mary Alice; parents; son-in-law Tim Baker; daughter-in-law Sharon; two brothers, Albert and Eugene; a twin sister Karol Sivadge and sister Edith Channell.
Memorial contributions can be directed to Eastern Star Masonic Home of Iowa in Boone, IA.
