Kenneth W. Anderson of Edwardsville, formerly of Granite City, died Tuesday, November 16, 2010. He was 93. He was born July 16, 1917 in Granite City, the son of William C. and Della Schmidt Anderson. He married Eileen Klueter in January 1946. She preceded him in death in October 2006.
Ken was a clerk on the Terminal Railroad in Venice for more than 30 years, and he operated an independent heating and air conditioning business in Granite City for many years. He was a graduate of Rankin Technical College, and taught night school there for several years. He served in the U.S. Army for over four years during World War II, reaching the rank of staff sergeant. He was a radio operator in the Fifth Infantry Division, serving in Iceland, Ireland and England, and ultimately throughout much of Western Europe, including France, Austria and Germany, as part of Patton’s Third Army.
Ken was a dutiful member of St. John United Church of Christ in Granite City, where he served on the church council, was president of the Men’s Brotherhood and was active in many other church activities. He was a member of Granite City Masonic Lodge No. 877, and the Ainad Temple and Tri-City Shrine Club. He was a tireless volunteer, including driving children to the Shriners’ Burn Hospital in Ohio, collecting money at Christmas for the Salvation Army and maintaining furnaces and air conditioners for various charitable organizations in Granite City.
Ken is survived by two sons, Bill (Wendy) Anderson and Jim (Karen) Anderson, both of Edwardsville; five grandchildren, Michael Anderson of Brentwood, Sarah Anderson of Cary, N.C., Drew (Valerie) Anderson of St. Peters, MO. and Megan and Robin Anderson of St. Louis; one great-grand child, Avery Anderson of St. Peters; two brothers, Irwin (Babe) of Mount Olive and Howard of Edwardsville; and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by brother Milton and Leonard Anderson, and sisters Pearl Jones and Evelyn Smith.
In celebration of his life, visitation will be held at St. John United Church of Christ, 2901 Nameoki Road, Granite City on Friday, November 19, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. until time of funeral service at 11:30 a.m.
Burial will be at Sunset Hill Memorial Estates in Glen Carbon.
Memorials may be made to St. John United Church of Christ or Hospice of Southern Illinois.
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