Kenneth L. Cherry, 81, Duncansville, died Oct. 25, 2012, at The Fairways at Brookline, State College.
He was born in Altoona, son of the late Wallace L. and Virginia H. (Miller) Cherry. He married Florence A. Sanders on June 6, 1953, in Pittsburgh.
Surviving are his wife of 59 years and three children: daughter, Debra L. Weible and husband, David, and their daughter, Kristen Weible Jackson and husband, Brandon, all of Pasadena, Md.; son, Dr. Kenneth L. Cherry Jr. and wife, Dr. Melanie Cherry, and their three children: Christina M. Fiore and husband, Dr. Jay Fiore, and their children, Mia and Olivia, Kenneth L. Cherry III and Allison Maria Cherry, all of State College; and son, Timothy D. Cherry and wife, Nancy, and their two children, Danielle Meadows and husband, Jason, and Katelyn Cherry, all of Duncansville.
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He is also survived by four siblings: Joanne Sease and husband, Gene, of Indianapolis, Ind., Robert W. Cherry and wife, Joyce, of Hamburg, N.Y., Helen M. Wieand Hogan and husband, Dennis, of San Tan Valley, Ariz., and Thomas L. Cherry and wife, Georgia, of Johnstown, Pa.; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Mary Ann Cherry; and two sisters: Mary Kay Woomer and Marilyn June Dillen.
Kenneth was a 1949 graduate of Bellwood-Antis High School. He graduated from Penn State University in 1957 in agricultural education after serving two years as a supply sergeant in the Korean War in the middle of his education. He retired as vocational director of the Hollidaysburg Area School District with 31 years of service. He was a member of Juniata Lodge 282, F&AM, Altoona Consistory and Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite.
He was actively involved in his community serving as the chairman of the Hollidaysburg Farm Show for many years. He was also a member of Hicks Memorial United Methodist Church, Duncansville, and served as a member and president of the board of trustees for most of his membership.
"Pap" enjoyed his family, especially his grandchildren and his great-granddaughters. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting with his sons and running his beloved Brittany bird dogs on his favorite horse, Paint. He attended his fruit trees with great skill and passion and could fix virtually anything. Ken was the second of now four straight generations of the Cherry family who are proud Penn State University alumni. He attended Penn State football games with passion and pride for more than 30 years, only missing games when his health would no longer permit him to go.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012, at Jon C. Russin Funeral Home, Bellwood. A memorial service will be announced at a later date.
The family asks that you please omit flowers and honor Kenneth by making all contributions to the Kenneth L. Cherry Sr. Fund at Penn State University. The family has established an account for this fund, and the checks should be made payable to Debra Cherry Weible with a memo line for Kenneth L. Cherry Sr. Education Fund. The family will generate one check to the College of Education at Penn State University. Please send your checks to Debra Cherry Weible, 9164 Rolling Meadow Run, Pasadena, MD 21122.
