Kenneth E. Asdell

On January 25th, 2016, a legend passed through the gates of heaven as Kenny Asdell departed his earthly vessel and joined the angels for all eternity leaving behind his family and friends. Kenny was born on July 4th, 1927, at the homestead of his maternal grandparents, Joseph and Cora (Blackmore) Kern, who resided just north of Scotland, Indiana. His proud parents were Joseph Leland (Drib) and Sophia (Sophie) Asdell. Kenny was the firstborn but was soon followed by Drinae Fae (who passed away soon after birth), Davie Joe (Joe), Benoni (Ben), Doris June (June), and Billy Nelson (Bill). Kenny attended Scotland High School but left early in his senior year to join the war effort by enlisting in the United States Navy where he served honorably in WWII in the European Theater. Upon his return from the war, he engaged in several adventurous endeavors including building silos and grain bins throughout Michigan and Canada while employed by C&B Silo and constructing the very first electric power lines through the Ozark Mountains of Missouri. It was in Missouri where his brother Joe was severely burned in a workplace accident. Kenny was by Joe’s side through his arduous recovery, even to the point of pawning his winter coat for subsistence. Kenny loved truck driving and was an independent trucker, his first truck being a 1948 Auto Car. Kenny spent many nights away from home transporting freight and grain throughout the lower 48 states. Being a proud, 50+ year member of Ironworkers Local 22 in Indianapolis, Kenny not only worked hanging iron throughout the Midwest he also had an opportunity to work on construction of the Alaskan pipeline in the mid 1970’s. Kenny married Vonda Fay Beasley and they had three children, Randall Kern Asdell (Randy), Marsha Dee Asdell (Dee Dee), and Sheryl Nieman (Mike). Kenny and Vonda raised their family on the homestead of Kenny’s paternal grandparents, David Samuel and Clara (Stone) Asdell which remains in the family to this day. Kenny lived an adventurous life that most people can only dream of or experience in the movies. Even so, he always had time for family and friends and was first in line to assist those in need. Kenny was a big man, bigger than life and he feared nothing. A fitting description of Kenny was once offered by his brother Joe: “he is bigger than a skinned elephant, meaner than a striped ass monkey, tougher than rawhide, and all man, from the ground up”. This, my friend, is Kenny Asdell in a “nutshell”. Kenny was a lifelong member of American Legion and VFW. Kenny was preceded in death by his parents Drib & Sophie Asdell, brother Joe, and sister June. He is survived by Vonda, children Randy, Dee, and Sheryl plus many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. A Memorial visitation will be held from 2 to 4 P.M. on Saturday January 30, 2015 at Jenkins Funeral Home in Bloomfield. Memorial Service will be held at 4:00 P.M. on Saturday with Mark Lester officiating. Online condolences to the family can be made at www.jenkinsfuneralhomes.com.

Kenneth E. Asdell

July 4, 1927 - January 25, 2016