Kenneth L Dickey

Kenneth L. Dickey, 98, North Manchester, Indiana, formerly of rural Silver Lake, Indiana, passed away July 4, 2020 at Timbercrest Healthcare Center, North Manchester. One of four children, Kenneth was born on May 2, 1922 in Pleasant Township, Wabash County, Indiana, to Millard and Grace (Eiler) Dickey. Growing up during the Great Depression years, Kenneth’s parents taught him and his three sisters the value of being someone.

A graduate from Laketon High School in 1940, during his high school years, Kenneth participated in plays, debates and orations. He went on to further his education at Manchester College for three years before World War II ended his college career, forcing him to work on his family’s farm.

During his college years he met Martha Frantz. They were married on June 10, 1945 at Liberty Center Baptist Church. The two were wed for nearly fifty-seven years before Martha passed away on March 30, 2002. During their time together, Martha and Kenneth enjoyed traveling the United States, but especially enjoyed Hawaii.

When Kenneth was a boy, he wanted to become a farmer and made that dream become a reality.  He and Martha rented 3 different farms for 17 years before buying their own farm near Silver Lake.  He had a dairy operation with a registered Ayrshire herd numbering close to 150 cows and heifers. 

During his time as a member of West Eel River Church of the Brethren, Silver Lake, Indiana, Kenneth was active in the choir and a men’s quartet, was a teacher, church treasurer and a deacon. He later became a member of Liberty Mills Church of the Brethren, Liberty Mills, Indiana.

Kenneth was a member of the Gideon International for 12 years, Kosciusko County Farm Bureau, Indiana and National Ayrshire Association, delegate for dairy marketing, and a longtime delegate for the Church of the Brethren. He was also recognized for his work in soil and water conservation.

The loving memory of Kenneth L. Dickey will be forever cherished by his son, Ralph (Dena) Dickey, Warsaw, Indiana; daughters, Mary Alice (Gail) Weber, Primm Springs, Tennessee and Jane Anne (Ted) Curless, North Olmsted, Ohio; sister, Rose Marie (Kenneth) Miller, North Manchester; step-sister, Mary Ann Rohrer, North Manchester; ten grandchildren and nineteen great-grandchildren. Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Martha; daughter, Jo Ellen Hogan; son-in-law, Chuck Hogan; two sisters, Anna Lois Gump and Frances White; and one granddaughter, Sara Hogan.

Family and friends may call Friday, July 10, 2020 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at McKee Mortuary, 1401 State Road 114 West, North Manchester, Indiana. Funeral services for Kenneth L. Dickey will be held July 11, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. with calling one-hour prior at McKee Mortuary. A graveside service will be held at 2:30 p.m. at Elm Grove Cemetery, 3500 IN-124, Bluffton, Indiana 46714. Chaplain Laura Stone and Pastor Corky Cordes will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Timbercrest Charitable Assistance Fund, P.O. 501, North Manchester, Indiana 46962 or The Gideons International Processing Center, P.O. Box 97251, Washington D.C. 20090 or Heifer International Project, 1 World Avenue, Little Rock, Arkansas 72202

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