Kenneth C. Nixon

Kenneth C. Nixon Kenneth C. Nixon, 87, went to his eternal home to be reunited with his loving wife Mary Jane Nixon on August 22, 2015 at 7:00 pm. He was born on October 22, 1927 to Kenneth P. Nixon and Donna Bell Marie (Waldron) Nixon in Danville, Illinois. He attended Danville High School and was active in football, basketball, wrestling, and track. In high school, he met the girl he would later marry. After high school, Kenneth attended Bulter University on a football scholarship. His college and football career would soon be interrupted as he was drafted into the US Army as a combat engineer. He served this great nation from 1946-1947, when he was discharged honorably. Kenneth married Mary Jane on August 11, 1946. They were blessed with two children Pamela Kay (Gary) West and Michael Kenneth Nixon. He had seven grandchildren Sean Lee (Shannon) Boyer, Shane Christopher (Nickole) Boyer, Heather Kay (Shawn) Bladel, Brittany Michelle Williams (deceased), John Kenneth Williams, and Samantha Lynn Nixon. He also had fourteen great grandchildren. Kenneth spent his working years in three fields. One was working with the youth. He worked with them as a probation officer and as a coach for basketball and football teams. He also spent time in the restaurant business where he owned a restaurant in Danville across from the Danville High School and one in Denver, CO. The final career he chose was that of working with animals. He was an executive director for humane societies in four different states. In three of those states he raised and built new shelters with new designs. He was considered to be an expert in the construction and design of animal shelters. During Kenneth's free time, he loved to spend time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren which involved being in the outdoors, most of the time fishing, playing sports, or camping. He also always had the trusty companionship of a dog at his side as he cherished each and every one of them. He was preceded in death his father, mother, wife, son, and one grandchild. The celebration for his life will begin with a visitation on Tuesday, August 25, 2015 from 11am - 2 pm with the funeral beginning at 2pm at Sunset Funeral Home in Danville, IL. Interment will follow at Springhill Cemetery in Danville, IL. with the Rev. Kent Tibben officiating. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Danville, IL. Kenneth was greatly admired by not only his family, but the many people he came in contact with during his 87 years of life. He was greatly loved and will be deeply missed by his family and friends. Memorials in Kenneth's name may be made to The Humane Society of the United States, www.humanesociety.org/ or the American Humane Association, www.americanhumane.org/ Please join Kenneth's family in sharing photos, videos and memories on his tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com

Visitation Aug 25, 2015 Tuesday, 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center 3940 N. Vermilion Street Danville, IL 61834 Service Aug 25, 2015 Tuesday, 2:00 PM Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center 3940 N. Vermilion Street Danville, IL 61834 Final Resting Place Spring Hill Cemetery 301 East Voorhees Danville, IL 61832