Kenneth James Phares, 85, of Mohawk, went to be with the Lord Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2014. He was born on May 11, 1928, the son of John Robert and Autumn (Leary) Phares McNeff.
Kenny graduated from Maxwell High School in 1946. He served in the Korean War, from 1950 to 1952, assigned to the 8th Combat Engineer Unit, attached to the 1st Calvary Division in the Army. Kenny married Wilma (Adkins) Phares on Dec. 31, 1953; they recently celebrated sixty years of marriage.
He was an active member of the Mohawk United Methodist Church and served on the Federal Land Bank Board, The Hancock County ASCS (FSA), and the Hancock County Community Foundation. He was a lifelong farmer and a 1996 recipient of Indiana Prairie Farmer’s Master Farmer Award. He enjoyed farming, history, his community, and spending time with his family.
Kenny is survived by his loving wife, Wilma; children, Jeffrey S. (Denise) Phares of Mohawk, and Susan J. (Rick) Edwards of Mohawk; grandchildren, James, John, Megan (Jeffery), Ethan, and Luke; great-grandchildren, Willow and Walker; and sisters, Martha Bauchert and Rosalind Burk.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Robert and Autumn; and his brother, Gerald Eugene Phares.
Visitation will be from 3 -7 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 3, 2014, at Erlewein Mortuary & Crematory in Greenfield. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2014, also at the mortuary. Reverend Charles “Woody” Thompson will be officiating. Burial will follow at Park Cemetery in Greenfield.
Memorial contributions may be made to Mohawk United Methodist Church – Elevator Fund, 2045 W. 400 N. Greenfield, IN 46140.
Friends may share a memory or send a condolence at www.erleweinmortuary.com or email condolences to [email protected].
