Kenneth William Struin

Kenneth William Struin, 92, passed away peacefully at Stoneridge Adult Foster Care Home on November 28, 2014.

Ken was born in the house he lived in, all his life, on April 24, 1922 to William and Florence (Luce) Struin. He attended the Lincoln Rural School and graduated from Battle Creek Central in 1938. He played trumpet in the Central Band and in a dance band that played around the area for various functions especially at the White Rabbitt Dance Hall. Ken took a short course at Michigan State University and became a dairy farmer on the family farm. In 1976 he was involved in a farm accident that caused him to partially retire from farming. Ken raised beef cattle for a few years and drove school bus for Bellevue Community Schools for eight years then completely retired from farming. He was a member of the Bellevue School Board for 10 years, served on the Assyria Township Board of Review for 4 years and served a total of 16 years on the Assyria Township Board. Ken became a member of the Baseline United Methodist Church at the age of 12 years old and remained a member until his death. Because of his love of music, Ken enjoyed being a member of the church choir most of his life.

Ken married Margie Elaine Matthews, on March 2, 1947 in the First United Methodist Church in Hastings, MI and they were married for 68 years. Together they raised four children, Ruth (Glenn) Goheen, Janet (Mike) Moon, Carol
(Mike) Townsend; and William Kenneth Struin who preceded him in death on January 6, 2012. He had one sister Margaret Vandlen who preceded him in 2009. He is survived by his wife, three daughters, 11 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren and numerous loving nieces and nephews.

Ken was noted for growing some of the tastiest sweet corn around for years and had customers that looked forward to his sweet corn signs each year. Through his avid gardening he donated fresh vegetables to the local food bank over the years. Ken played and enjoyed watching baseball and was a Detroit Tiger fan. He loved taking his kids and grandkids fishing at his pond and playing in the river that ran through his farm, and was noted for his great big strong bear hugs. Ken will be remembered by many as a generous, kind, and gentle man. He will be greatly missed.

Friends will be received 10:30-11:30 a.m. Tuesday at Baseline United Methodist Church. Funeral services will be officiated by Pastor Peggy Baker at the church 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, December 2, 2014, following the visitation. Inurnment at Hicks Cemetery will follow a luncheon at church. Memorial contributions may be made to Baseline United Methodist Church, 9617 Baseline Road, Battle Creek, MI 49017 or Stoneridge Adult Foster Care Home, 4825 Fruin Rd. Bellevue, MI 49021. Arrangements are by the Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home. Personal messages for the family may be placed here at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.