Kenneth Charles Seckman (Ken) was born in Clayton, Illinois on February the 13th, 1927. He lived there with his parents, his older brother Mart Jr., and older sister Carol. At seventeen, while in high school he joined the Navy and served during World War II as a radio/communications specialist on board the USS Bell, (DD587).
At the close of the war, Ken returned to Clayton and worked for the Post Office. During that time, on a blind date, he met Clara Ruth Keil (Ruth). They were married in Quincy, Illinois in 1950.
Soon afterwards he began working for the Swift & Company in Peoria, Illinois. Ken and Ruth moved to El Segundo, California where he joined with the H.J. Heinz Co. and retired 36 years later as an area manager. (It is no surprise that his favorite number was “57”)!
In 1964, Ken and Ruth, moved to Simi Valley and joined the United Methodist Church of Simi Valley. Together, they were very active members throughout the life of the church, as they served on nearly every available church committee. Notably, Ken was instrumental in starting a monthly work day held on the first Saturday of the month, where church volunteers labored to maintain the campus of the church. As part of their mission for over 40 years, Ken and Ruth provided meals to all volunteers who participated on “Work Day”.
Throughout his church life, he was an active member of the United Methodist Men. In 1985, Ken was the first recipient of the “Wade Gardner Methodist Men Service Award”. Ken was also active in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. He was a recipient of a Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary Club of Westlake Village for “Service Above Self”.
He loved his family and was a friend to everyone. He had a strong affection for dogs and loved music.
He is survived by his wife Ruth of 68 years, sister Carol Vollbracht, daughters Janet Olenik and Lori Glover, son Michael Seckman, sons-in-law David Olenik and Peyton Glover, daughter-in-law Jackie Seckman, and his grandsons Tyler Glover and Chris Seckman.
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