Kenneth Wattles

Kenneth Wayne Wattles, 79, of Louisville, Illinois, passed away peacefully at 8:25 a.m. Sunday, February 13, 2022, at his home on the Wattles family farm.

Kenny was born on February 8, 1943, in rural Ingraham, IL, the son of Corydon Lee “Yank” and Roxie Marine (Anderson) Wattles. Kenny attended Bible Grove Grade School and graduated from Clay City High School, later attending Saint Louis Christian College. He married Gloria Arlene Zink on November 10, 1967, at the First Christian Church in Flora, Illinois and they shared 54 years of marriage. Kenny was a lifelong farmer and a dedicated oilfield pumper. In years past, he was a member of the Flora First Christian Church where he taught Sunday school and served as a deacon. He was a current member of Christ’s Church in Effingham. He enjoyed watching the St. Louis Cardinals and attending his grandchildren’s events. Kenny rarely missed a day at work or a Sunday church service. His persevering faith has been an inspiration to his family.

Kenny is survived by his wife, Gloria Wattles; 2 sons, Brian Lee (Nicola) Wattles, of Louisville, IL and John Eric (Sarah) Wattles, of Lawrenceville, IL; 7 grandchildren, Ian Wattles, Kamden Wattles, Makina Wattles, Bailey Miller, Brody Wattles, Gage Wattles, and Alli Wattles. He is also survived by a sister Freda (Jack) Stanfield, of Louisville; sisters-and-brothers-in-law, Louisa Zink (John) Komocar; Dave Schwenk; John Wayne (Caroline) Zink; nieces and nephews, Tina (Brian) Pieplow, Christine Hayes, Pam Zink, Janet Zink, Cathy Billingsley, Scott Smith, Johnny Zink, and Josh Zink; several cousins, and great nieces and great nephews. Kenny shared a brotherly bond with his cousins: Russell Patridge, Ray Patridge, Carl Wayne Wattles, and Jim Wattles.

Kenny was preceded in death by his parents, cousin Albert Williams, sisters-in-law Lois Jean Zink and Phyllis Zink-Schwenk; brothers-in-law Charles Hackett, James Hackett, Donnie Zink, and Richard Zink; nephew Steven Smith, and niece Joni Zink-Hueckstaedt.

Funeral services honoring the life of Kenny Wattles will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, February 19, 2022 at the McGriff & Triplett Funeral Home in Louisville, with Jeff Michael and Ron Payne officiating. Following the service, cremation rites will be accorded. Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 19, 2022 at the funeral home where friends may call from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Kenny's ashes will be laid to rest by his family at Orchard Hill Cemetery in Louisville, IL. Memorials may be made in Kenny’s memory to Oil Belt Christian Service Camp in Flora or Discovery Christian School in Effingham, and will be accepted through the funeral home. Due to health concerns related to COVID-19, it is recommended that you please wear a mask and practice social distancing. To sign the guestbook online or share a memory, please visit www.mcgriffandtriplettfh.com.

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