It is with profound sadness and broken hearts that we announce the passing of our father, Kenneth R Smiley, on Saturday, November 9, 2024 at his home in Paducah, Kentucky. Stupid cancer finally got the better of him after he put up a worthy fight for multiple years.
Kenneth R Smiley was born November 12, 1944 and lived to be 3-days shy of his 80th birthday (79). He was the {self-proclaimed} biggest Kentucky Wildcat fan and an avid fisherman. He was a man of integrity and work ethic, with just a sprinkle of stubbornness and orneriness. He connected with his forever companion, Sara Nance, over 20 years ago and together they made a home of love, mutual care, compassion, and partnership. She survives and continues to care for his special girl, “Island”, a Shih Tzu/Maltese.
Ken was born in rural Breckenridge County, Kentucky at his home to parents Joel A Smiley and Viola Hinton Smiley. They preceded him in death, as did one infant sister (Linda) and one younger brother, Joe.
The Smiley family migrated to Central Illinois, and Ken attended and graduated from the McLean/Waynesville High School (now Olympia) in 1962. He excelled in basketball and baseball and from what we hear, was one of those handsome young men that could turn all the girls’ heads. After high school, he chose to join his father in the family service station business – which kicked off a career of entrepreneurship. Ken and his first wife, Wanda Smiley, had 2 daughters, Becki and Shelli. He served in the United States Army from 1964 to 1970, being honorably discharged and forever proud of his service to our nation.
Ken settled in Clinton, Illinois when returning from the service where he married and made a home with his former wife, Joyce Polen Smiley and their two daughters, Kristina Renae and Julie Anne. Ken owned and operated several business ventures in DeWitt County, including the Shell Service Station (Clinton), Smileys Gas & Stuff (DeWitt) and the Powerhouse Pub (DeWitt). He concluded his working years as a Manager in Maintenance at the Clinton Power Station, retiring to spend his days fishing at Kentucky Lake. Lucky for him, this last move to the Bluegrass State led him to meeting, loving, tormenting, and living in partnership with Sara.
He is survived by his companion, Sara, daughters Becki (Vince) King, Shelli Misch, Kris (Mike) Filkin, and Julie (Greg) Osgood, and bonus sons Jerry (Lisa) Nance, Jr. and Eric (Marty) Nance. He was blessed with 10 grandchildren: Jessica (James) Beutow, Alyssa (Jordan) Lemons, Alexis King, Tommy Misch, Kyla (Nick) Kerber, Derek Filkin, Regan Filkin, Greg (Jessie Shride) Osgood, Zachary Osgood, and Travis Osgood and gained 3 additional granddaughters Taylor (Jacob Underwood) Filkin, Madison (Levi) Nettles, and Abby Nance. Ken also had 10 great grandchildren – Everly, Renick, Raelyn, Braxten, Kohen, Cash, Tripp, Kostner, Rhett, and Henley.
Throughout his life, his hobbies included participating in leagues of bowling, billiards (where he once wagered and won a game of pool using a broomstick instead of a pool cue), and darts. Ken could always be counted on for a cold beer or a pick-up game of Euchre or Poker. He was a member of various clubs over the years including the Clinton Eagles #593 (a Golden Eagle), Clinton Elks Club, Benton Elks Club, Paducah American Legion and the VFW. In the mid to late 60s, he raced Stock Cars at tracks around Central Illinois. He loved tinkering with cars, engines, and almost anything mechanical.
He always owned a fishing boat and in his retirement years, spent any available moment either thinking about fishing or taking the boat out to catch a few. Summertime also brought the vegetable garden – he spent countless hours tending to his crops and offering gardening advice to others. When cold weather prevented fishing, he watched his beloved Wildcats basketball team.
We would like to give a special thank you to his dear friends and neighbors, Adam and Jesse Larson. Your overwhelming support, love, and assistance throughout the years has and will always be appreciated.
