Kenneth worked on the family farm for many years and at Scott Air Force Base in civil service for 30 years before retiring in 1994.
He was a longtime parishioner at St. Teresa Catholic Church in Belleville, IL, where he was a member of the Holy Name Society, the Young-at-Heart Club, and served a term on the parish council. He was also a member of the O’Fallon Knights of Columbus, the St. Clair County Farm Bureau, and the Belleville-Swansea Moose Club.
Kenneth was a faithful donor for the American Red Cross. While he was able, he donated over 20 gallons of blood and received the Life Saver Award in recognition of this achievement.
Kenneth overcame many obstacles in his life, beginning with polio at the age of 3. The effects of the virus continued to plague him through the years, but his resolve to live a full life and provide for his family never wavered and has served as an excellent example to us all. His work ethic was unmatched.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Cornelius and Helen, nee Amann, Thouvenot; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Aloys and Frances Litteken; sister and brother-in-law, Arlene and Cecil Earnhart; sister, Melva Thouvenot; brother, Leon Thouvenot; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Sylvia and Albert Rakers; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Dan and Mary Litteken; two brothers-in-law, Dave Litteken and Marcel Von Bokel; and daughter-in-law, Helen, nee Siegel, Thouvenot.
He is survived by and will be greatly missed by his wife of 60 years, Lydia, nee Litteken, Thouvenot, whom he married on May 30, 1955;
and his seven children, Ken (Carole) Thouvenot,
Joyce Pavlak,
Russ Thouvenot,
Jerry Thouvenot,
Steve (Joy) Thouvenot,
Diane (Jack) Sciuto,
and Lynn (Glenn) Fournie.
He was Grandpa Thouvenot to Beth (Chris) Jacobs, Jeff (Ashley) Elchert,
Danny (Ashley) Elchert, Dan Thouvenot, Andy (Kristi) Thouvenot,
Joseph Thouvenot, Michelle (Cody) Hawkins,
Ashley Thouvenot (fiancé, Jarin Dunnigan), Adam Thouvenot,
Neal Thouvenot, Jared Thouvenot, Kelsey Thouvenot (fiancé, Travis Beasley),
Kirsten Thouvenot, Brittany Thouvenot, Samantha Thouvenot,
Lauren Thouvenot, Shawn (Catie) Sanders, Stephanie Victor,
Tosha (Tim) Eisele, Anna Sciuto (fiancé, Jim Wilderman), Jack Sciuto III,
Luke Fournie, Amy Fournie, and Josh Fournie;
and 13 great-grandchildren, with one more expected in October.
Also surviving are his sister, Rita (Jim) Igel;
his brother, Cletus (Jeanette) Thouvenot;
three sisters-in-law, Marge Von Bokel (friend, Jerry Schilling),
Viola Litteken, and Paula Thouvenot;
two brothers-in-law, Jim (Thelma) Litteken and Aloys (Carol) Litteken;
and numerous nieces and nephews.
The Thouvenot family would like to give special thanks to the staff at Rosewood Care Center for their care, support, and concern.
Memorials may be made to St. Teresa Catholic Church or to Hospice of Southern Illinois. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 7, 2015, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL, and from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 8, 2015, at St. Teresa Catholic Church, Belleville, IL.
Funeral: A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 8, 2015, at St. Teresa Catholic Church, Belleville, IL, with Father James Thomas officiating. Burial will follow at Green Mount Catholic Cemetery, Belleville, IL.
Condolences Left For Kenneth Thouvenot
Please accept our deepest condolences on the passing of Kenneth. It was an honor to have known him and have him as our neighbor. We will truly miss him. May our Lord bless and comfort you and your family during this time of grief. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Mario & Elena Jimenez, Swansea, IL, 62226
Aunt Lydia Ken,Joyce,Russ,Jerry, Steve, Diane and Lynn so sorry to hear about Uncle Kenny, he was a good man and I was alwys proud to call him Uncle Kenny. I remember the trips to your house going for Pony rides and walking up to the Thouvenot farm. Mom always appreciated “Kenny” watching out for her kids at the farm in Trenton. So sorry I cannot make it to the Funeral Home you will all be in my thoughts and prayers.
Alan
Alan Litteken, Jasper, Indiana, 47546
To the Thouvenot Family
You have our sincere sympathy. We hope that the memories you have of your hudband, dad, grandfather and great-grandfather will always leave a smile in your face and a warm spot in your heart.
The Tom Davis Family, Belleville, Ill, 62226
Sympathy to the family of Ken. Was so surprised to see the BND obituary and sorry I could not make the visitation. To his wife Linda, you do remember me as a classmate in high school in Aviston.
I was so interested in your husbands health since I too had polio at the age of 3 yers. Remember talking to your husband about our simularities of the illness. Prayers to you and your family at this time of your loss.
R. Joseph Richter, Breese, Illinois, 62230