Kenneth Paul Oakes, 78, born Jan. 1, 1932 in Steuben, Wis., former resident of Warrens, Wis., and a resident of Lillian, died Sunday, April 4, 2010.
He graduated from Tomah High School in 1949. He briefly served in the National Guard, worked as a boilerman for many years for Barber-Coleman in Rockford, Ill., and retired from Courtaulds in Mobile.
He married C. Ruth Young on June 17, 1951 in Boscobel, Wis. They shared 56 years together. They were dedicated Christians working with the Lay Witness Mission program in Illinois and Wisconsin.
For many years, he held Sunday morning worship services at Rock Cut State Park in Rockford. They loved to camp, and they traveled extensively. A talented tenor, he sang solos and co-founded a Christian singing group called Maranatha in Rockford, Ill.
He recently joined the New Journey Gospel Quartet in Warrens, Wis. Always active in church and with their extended Christian family, they were happiest sitting at the kitchen table, sharing coffee with family and friends, discussing their faith in, and love for, Jesus Christ. Many, many people were blessed at their kitchen table over the years.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Glen and Rose Jones Oakes; his wife, Ruth; and a brother, Lloyd Oakes.
Survivors include four children, Bill (Marcie) Oakes of Warrens, Wis., Valerie (Ray) Colby of Rogers, Ark., Kelly (Oscar) Tolbert of Elberta and Stacy (Jamie) Wilson of Lillian; brother, David (Dottie) Oakes of Warrens, Wis.; three sisters, Glenda (Kenneth) Jensen of Rockford, Ill., Gale (Lloyd) Sutherland of Warrens, Wis., and Judy (Jim) Embertson of Rockford, Ill.; two sisters-in-law, Marjorie Oakes of Warrens, Wis., and Gwen Conley of Blue Eye, Mo.; eight grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Visitation begins at 10 a.m. with funeral services at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 17 at the Living Stones Fellowship in Warrens, Wis. with Pastor Bill Oakes officiating. Burial will follow in the Warren Mills Cemetery.
Arrangements are by Torkelson Funeral Home, Wis. Online condolences may be made at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.
