Kenneth "Kenny" George Bethel, Jr.

Kenneth George Bethel, Jr. (Kenny), 88, of Moscow Mills, MO, formerly of Montgomery City, MO, passed away on Friday, October 25, 2024 at Stonebridge Senior Living in Hermann, MO.  

Kenny was born in New Florence, MO on March 24,1936, the son of the late Kenneth George Bethel, Sr. and Martha Rose (Prior) Bethel. He was the widower of Barbara Kay (Stewart) Bethel who was born and raised in Buckhannon, WV. They were united in marriage in Fulton, MO, on May 8, 1970. 

He served his country in the U.S. Army from October 1959 to October 1960 during the Korean War Era as an Ambulance Driver and Medic. Following his service in Korea he served in the Army National Guard until January 1965. 

Kenny worked from a young age at a variety of jobs. He was employed for several years by Binkley in Wright City, MO then went to work for Wellsville Firebrick, in Wellsville, MO in March 1966. He retired in April 1998, having been there 32 years.

Kenny loved the outdoors especially hunting, fishing and looking for mushrooms. He enjoyed woodworking and painting on various mediums. He loved to cook, especially different cuisines, and he wrote poems about his family and daily life. He and his wife Barbara Kay enjoyed traveling throughout the U.S.; always taking their children and grandchildren with them. What meant more to him than all his interests and hobbies was the love he shared with his family. 

Together, Kenny and Barbara Kay raised all their children. He is survived by his two daughters, Debbie Roseman of Montgomery City, MO, Marcia Dunlap of New Florence, MO, his son Timothy C. (Tim) Bethel (wife Christina) of Troy, MO,  and his step-daughter of 51 years, Sarah (Sally) Overkamp of Moscow Mills. Also surviving Kenny are his two sisters, Carolyn See of Wellsville, MO, Ruth Schaefer (husband Jerry) of Rhineland, MO, sister-in-law, Phyllis Bethel of Danville, brothers Monte Bethel (wife Judy) of Danville, MO, and Ronald (Ronnie) Bethel (wife Judy) of New Florence, MO, brother-in-law Stan Stewart (wife Sue) of Chapel Hill, NC, 9 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Kay, daughter Peggy Jaggie, brother James (Jim) Bethel and brother-in-law Larry See. 

A celebration of life gathering will be held Saturday, November 23rd from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Montgomery City Lions Club Building, Montgomery City, with military honors service at 2:00 p.m.