Kenneth Weatherby, born July 24th 1929 and departed to his heavenly home on February 1st 2023 surrounded by his family in the home where he was born. He was the third child of Emmett and Mattie Bates Weatherby and spent his life farming the ground homesteaded by his great grandfather, Asa Bates in 1850.
He attended Fancy Prairie Grade School, graduated as Valedictorian-Special E from Elkhart high school in 1947, then began farming with his father. He attended Fancy Prairie Presbyterian Church, then Elkhart Christian Church, and in later years attended Athens Christian Church.
He milked cows for 23 years after coming home from the army in 1953. He served from 1951 through 1953 with the Third Infantry Division in Korea where he attained the rank of Sergeant.
He married Erna Wade at Fisher Christian Church on February 25, 1961.
Kenneth loved working with livestock, and his greatest thrill was working with his children and grandchildren on their cattle and horse 4-H projects. He and Erna were leaders of the Fancy Prairie 4-H club for some time. Kenneth loved farming with his family and demonstrated how to be a true steward of God’s creation. Kenneth loved to attend the family’s sporting events, band concerts, etc. He and Erna were consistently involved with their children and grandchildren’s lives and he was always there to support them.
He served on the Fancy Prairie Co-op elevator board, and later with the Culver-Fancy Prairie Co-op board. He served on the Athens School Board of Education and the Menard County Extension Council for several years, as well as the Walnut Ridge Cemetery board. Kenneth enjoyed wildlife and the outdoors, participating in the community, writing and telling stories and jokes. His family was the most important part of his life and showed them how to live as a faithful Christian servant.
His brother, Kermit, and sister, Florence, preceded him in death. His sister, Frances Constant, survives. Kenneth is survived by his wife of nearly 62 years, Erna; son, Kent Weatherby and his wife Dana; daughter, Nancy Thomas and her husband Kevin; daughter, Beth Horner and husband Dennis; grandchildren, Cole, Luke, Adam, Jacob, Betty and her husband Dan, Mark and his wife MiKayla, Megan, and Elaine; great-granddaughter, Clare; and many loving nieces and nephews.
Visitation for Kenneth will be held on Sunday, February 5, 2023 from 1:00 PM until time of funeral services at 2:00 PM at the Athens Christian Church with Rev. Shane Baker officiating.
Burial will be held immediately after the service at Walnut Ridge Cemetery.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Athens Christian Church, Fancy Prairie Volunteer Fire Department, or the Menard County Fair.
Mott & Henning Funeral Home is assisting the family. On-line condolences can be shared at www.mottandhenning.com.
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Posted February 3rd, 2023 at 11:41 am
I’m so sorry for your loss. Sending prayers of peace.
Posted February 3rd, 2023 at 12:05 pm
Sorry for your loss! Praying for God’s comfort during this time!
Posted February 3rd, 2023 at 12:39 pm
My sincere condolences to Erna and family. Kenneth was a fine man that will be greatly missed.
Posted February 3rd, 2023 at 2:57 pm
Sorry for the Weatherby family in their time of loss. Prayers for all.
Posted February 3rd, 2023 at 4:01 pm
So sorry to hear about Kenny’s passing, Erna. My love to you all Erna. What a difficult weekend I know this will be. So thankful Kenny knew the Lord Jesus. My prayers support is with you. Lovingly Sarah
Posted February 3rd, 2023 at 4:04 pm
Kenneth Weatherby Family – We were so sorry to hear of Kenneth’s passing. Keeping you all in our prayers during this difficult time. Deepest sympathies.
Doug & Therese Schmidgall
Posted February 3rd, 2023 at 4:26 pm
Certainly, Kenny will be missed by all of us. Dear Erna, Kent, Nancy, Beth, and Frances…….. our prayers are with you all. Wish I could be there for the service Sunday. Kenny was such an awesome fella. And the Weatherby‘s have been such good friends with the Jenkins family down through the years. Love you all, and God bless!
Sincerely, Sarah Johnson
Bowling Green Kentucky
Posted February 3rd, 2023 at 5:38 pm
My condolences to the Weatherby family.
Posted February 3rd, 2023 at 8:52 pm
There are too many good things to say about Kenneth. As a little girl I found him monolithic and simply amazing. He is stuck in my mind that way. God speed.
Posted February 3rd, 2023 at 8:57 pm
There are too many good things to say about Kenneth. When I was a little girl I found him monolithic and simply amazing. I hold that image to this day. God speed.
Posted February 4th, 2023 at 8:37 am
Kenneth Weatherby was such an iconic figure in my childhood, in which many summers were spent at the King farm across the road. My older sisters, Georgia and Sara, were also around quite a bit. Kenneth left a mark on all who met him, so gentle, funny, smart, and sweet. He loved his life and his farm, and it showed! Deepest sympathies to all of his family. What a wonderful heritage he has left you.
Posted February 4th, 2023 at 9:16 am
Dear Erna and Family,
So very sorry to hear of Ken’s passing! You all are in our prayers and thoughts! Ken was one of the finest Christian men I knew, and he stands as a shining example of living for Christ before his family and to all who have known him. May the Father grant you peace! We love you all!
Mike Drake and family
Posted February 5th, 2023 at 2:02 pm
So sorry to hear about Kenneth Passing. Many prayers and deep sympathies for your family. Ron Black thought a lot of Kenneth and did work for him for many years.
Posted February 5th, 2023 at 2:08 pm
So sorry to learn of Kenney’s passing. Glen picked up milk from your farm many years ago while working at Homeier Dairy. May your many wonderful memories and God’s grace bring you comfort at this difficult time.
Posted February 5th, 2023 at 4:22 pm
Rhonda and I are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Mr. Weatherby. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire family at this difficult time. I will never be able to put in words how much I appreciated the support and encouragement I received from Kenneth and Erna when I started teaching agriculture at Athens. It was a pleasure having Kent, Nancy, and Beth go through the agriculture and FFA program at Athens. I always admired the example Kenneth set as a parent, grandparent, farmer, and member of the community. Rhonda and I regret that we will be unable to attend the services for Kenny. We are in Colorado visiting our son and grandchildren. Keeping you family in our thoughts and prayers.
Posted February 8th, 2023 at 12:06 pm
Sorry you lost your Dad Kent, peace to you and your family.
Posted February 12th, 2023 at 2:20 pm
To the Weatherby family. We were so saddened to hear of your dad and grandfather passing. Hugs and prayers for all the family. He will be missed.
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