Kenneth J. Hathaway, 84, of Wataga, Illinois, died at 3:55 a.m. Thursday, November 24, 2022 at Knox County Nursing Home in Knoxville, Illinois.
He was born March 5, 1938 in Kirkwood, Illinois to Chester A. and Katie L (Philpots) Hathaway. He was first married to Judy Young of Galesburg. She survives. He then married Janet G. Cunningham on February 11, 1978. He preceded her in death on April 26, 2005.
Surviving are his two daughters, Sharrie Justus and Cathie (Randy) Brush both of Galesburg; two sisters, Margaret Lybarger of Colorado Springs, Colorado and Geraldine Hathaway of Galesburg; and one brother, Allen (Evelyn) Hathaway of Kirkwood. He is also survived by five grandchildren, Roger Brush, Christian (Megan) Justus, Keith (Macey Turner) Brush, Kami (Daniel Gonzalez) Justus, and Kevin Brush; one great granddaughter; his two adoring Boston Terriers, Annie and Suzie Q; and several nieces and nephews.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Julie A. Hathaway; his wife, Janet; one sister, Clara Price; one brother, Clarence Hathaway; and a son-in-law, Victor Justus.
Ken worked several odd jobs to help support his family. He drove coal trucks, worked for Wells Dog Food in Monmouth, Illinois, a farm hand, and then worked at Admirals/Maytag where he worked as a pipefitter, assembler, plumber, and then in maintenance for 32 years, retiring in 1997. He was called Kenny by his family and friends and Papa or Punk by his grandchildren.
Visitation will be 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, December 2, 2022 at Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg. Funeral services will follow at 2 p.m. Burial will be at Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens, Galesburg. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association or a charity of the donor’s choosing. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.
