GUYS MILLS — Kenneth L. McGinnis, 75, of Guys Mills, died unexpectedly Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009, at Meadville Medical Center.
He was born Sept. 16, 1934, in Branson, Mo., a son of the late Edward L. and Cuma E. Claussen McGinnis. He married Janet Griffith Marvin in 1997.
Ken was employed as a Randolph Township supervisor and roadmaster for the last 26 years. He was an accomplished grader operator and took great pride in doing a good job for the residents of Randolph Township. He previously was employed as an over-the-road truck driver and was self-employed with a small-engine business. His skills with small-engine repairing were well known and he often repaired engines that other shops sent to him because they were uncertain about fixing them. He had some veterinary training and loved and had a special way with animals.
Ken grew up on a very large farm in California, where he learned to operate farm equipment at a young age. He had extensive knowledge about large-scale farming practices such as tomatoes, asparagus and other row crops. Ken also knew about the procedures needed to produce and harvest crops solely for large-scale seed production.
He attended United Evangelical Free Church of Guys Mills and was a member of Meadville Elks Lodge 219 and the board of directors of the Union Cemetery Association, Guys Mills. He formerly enjoyed hunting and fishing.
Survivors, in addition to his wife, Janet, include three stepdaughters, Julie Foulk and her husband, Michael, of Guys Mills, and Donna Marvin and Susan Harmon of Woodland, Calif.; four children, Dale McGinnis and his wife, Melanie, of Rio Vista, Calif., Vicki Blunck and her husband, Harry, of Rio Vista, Bryan McGinnis and his wife, Joanna, of Bend, Ore., and Randy McGinnis of the state of Washington; several grandchildren including Amanda and Matthew Foulk; two brothers, Thurman (Mac) McGinnis and his wife, Shirley, of Sacramento, Calif., and Densil McGinnis and his wife, Nene, of Sacramento; a sister, Betty Hamatani and her husband, Ossie, of Galt, Calif.; a brother-in-law, D.A. Pierson of Texas; and several cousins including Nadine Rozell of Marshfield, Mo., and Dede Sanders and her husband, Terry, of Branson.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Billie Pierson; and a brother, David McGinnis.
Calling hours are today from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, 581 Chestnut St., Meadville, and Saturday from 2 to 3 p.m. at the United Evangelical Free Church of Guys Mills, 11534 State Highway 198. The funeral will follow at 3 p.m. at the church, with Pastor David Coddington officiating.
Interment will be in Union Cemetery, Guys Mills.
The family suggests memorials be made to the United Evangelical Free Church of Guys Mills, P.O. Box 26, Guys Mills, Pa. 16327.
Condolences may be e-mailed to Robert W. Waid Funeral Home at rwaid@windstream.net.
