Ronald Edmond ‘Butch’ Kennedy
Ronald Edmond “Butch” Kennedy, 74, of Olmsted, died at 4:52 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 20, 2020, at his residence.
Mr. Kennedy was born on May 25, 1946, in Cairo, the son of Loren “Bosco” and Helen Frances Echols Kennedy.
He was a member of the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in Pulaski.
He was a member and past commander of the Pulaski County Memorial VFW Post No. 8891 of Mounds and a member of American Legion Post No. 178 of Villa Ridge. He was a member of the Pulaski-Alexander County burial ritual team.
He was a member of Caledonia Masonic Lodge No. 47 AF/AM of Olive Branch.
Mr. Kennedy was a retired correctional officer with the Vienna and Tamms state prisons.
He was a U.S. Army veteran. He had served in Operation Desert Storm with the Illinois National Guard.
He was preceded in death by his parents; by his first wife, Sandra “Sandy” Kennedy; and by his second wife, Sherry Ellen Kennedy.
Survivors include two sons, Gene (Cindy) Kennedy of Mounds and Jerry Kennedy of Joliet; a daughter, Cyndie (Todd) Spaulding of Springboro, Ohio; two stepdaughters, Elizabeth “Betsy” (Larry) Skaggs of Olmsted and Melissa (Elvis) Little of Lake Dallas, Texas; two sisters, Shirley (Clarence) Foss of Dongola and Dee (Ted) Sullivan of Catlin; a brother, Jerry Kennedy of Olmsted; grandchildren Brent (Tara) Kennedy, Eric, Elijah and Kadie Spaulding, and Ashley (Freddie) Thomas; five stepgrandchildren, Connor and Isaac Skaggs, and Eli, Griffin,and McKenzie Little; two great-grandchildren, Blaize and Blaire Kennedy; other relatives and friends.
A Masonic service was conducted by members of Caledonia Masonic Lodge No. 47 AF/AM at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 23, at Jones Funeral Home in Villa Ridge.
Funeral services were at 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 24, at the funeral home, with the Revs. Buddy Walls and Terry Kern officiating.
Interment followed at the Mound City National Cemetery, with full military honors given by the Pulaski-Alexander County burial ritual team and the Illinois National Guard.
Pallbearers were members of the Pulaski-Alexander County burial ritual team.
To sign the online guestbook, visit www.jones-funeral.com.
Jones Funeral Home Villa Ridge was in charge of arrangements.