Kenneth Pickering

Kenneth Kenny Dean Pickering, 71, of Danville, formerly of Catlin, passed away at 11:55 a.m. Friday, December 11, 2009 at Provena United Samaritans Medical Center in Danville. Kenny was born on December 2, 1938 in Danville, the son of Kenneth L. and Betty Lou (Rothenberger) Pickering. He married Linda Lou Smith on September 15, 1957 at the Chrisman Church of Christ. She survives. He is also survived by his two sons- Kurt D. Pickering of Champaign and Kent D. (Mary) Pickering of Riverside, Illinois; three daughters- Pamela K. (Jeff) Jackman of Waynetown, Indiana, Kathi L. (Troy) Byerly of Covington and Terri L. (Joseph) Paoletto of Maryville, Tennessee; ten grandchildren- Brandie (John) Woodley, Jeremy (Annie) Schrader, Jason (Michelle) Schrader, Keith Pickering, Jessica Pickering, Kelli (Tay) Williams, Alicia Long, Eric Morales, Judith Knight and Jeffrey (Keila) Jackman; 14 great-grandchildren- Chelsie, Caitlin, Brayden, Jackson, Erin, Rylee, JaDaicia, Taylor, Paige, Cloie, Warren, Skyler, Clayton and Katy; one brother- Dan (Carolyn) Pickering of Albuquerque, New Mexico;several nieces and nephews; and special friends- Mike Darr of Danville. He was preceded in death by his parents, maternal grandparents, paternal grandparents, nephew- Dustin Pickering and his best buddy-Taffy. Kenny graduated from Westville High School. He attended DACC and Sangamon State College. He worked as a Custodial Staff Supervisor at DACC, until he retired in 1991. He previously worked for the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, ESCO Corporation and Hyster Corporation. He was a member of CrossRoads Christian Church. Kenny enjoyed fishing, gardening, camping and was an avid Illini fan. He also enjoyed feeding the birds and animals. Kenny held a record for several years at Westville High School for track and field. He loved spending time with his family, friends and his dog-Zoie. A Celebration of the Life of Kenneth Kenny Dean Pickering will be at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 15, 2009 at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center, with Pastor Miles Clark officiating. Visitation will be from 4:00-8:00 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Burial will follow the service in Jones Grove Cemetery in Catlin. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association or American Diabetes Association. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family at: www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.