Kenneth Francis Athey Sr, December 26, 1926 — March 20, 2019

Kenneth Francis Athey, Sr. December 26, 1926 – March 20, 2019 Share this obituary Send Flowers Sign Guestbook| Send Sympathy Card Kenneth Francis Athey, Sr. age 92, of Charles Town, passed away in his sleep on Wednesday, March 20, 2019, following a brief illness, Kenneth had most recently been a resident of the Spring Arbor at Winchester assisted living facility in Winchester, Virginia. Kenneth was born Dec. 26, 1926 in Clarke County, Virginia to parents Irvin Wallace Athey and Lela F. (Shipe) Athey, where he grew up with his two sisters and four brothers.

In 1947, Kenneth was married to Estelle Elaine Hively, a marriage that lasted for 68 years until Elaine’s death in 2016. Kenneth and Elaine settled in Charles Town where for many years they ran a dairy farm while raising their five children. In 1972, Kenneth retired from farming and took a position with the West Virginia Department of Transportation, where he worked for approximately 30 years until his retirement.

Kenneth was a long-time member of St. Thomas Evangelical Lutheran Church. He was an avid gardener, and enjoyed camping, bluegrass music, and spending time with his large family and many friends. Kenneth is survived by his sister, Juanita Link, of Shenandoah Junction.

He is also survived by his five children, Kenneth F. Athey, Jr. (Marge) of Laurel, Delaware; Daniel L. Athey (Faye) of Kearneysville; Lois A. Seilhamer of Martinsburg, Irvin L. Athey (Sharon) of El Paso, Texas and Ellen A. Hansen (Keith) of Columbia, TN; fifteen grandchildren and a long and growing list of great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Kenneth is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Garland Athey, Joseph William (Bill) Athey, Marvin Athey and Allen Athey; one sister, Charlotte Gageby and one grandson, Paul K. Seilhamer. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, March 25, 2019 at the St. Thomas Lutheran Church with Pastor Diane Day officiating.

Interment will be private. Friends will be received from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at the church In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to St. Thomas Evangelical Lutheran Church, 111 South Seminary Street, Charles Town, WV 25414. Arrangements by the Melvin T. Strider Colonial Funeral Home, Charles Town.

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