Kenneth Warren Ackley

Kenneth Warren Ackley, 84, of Aurora, passed away Nov. 9, 2019 at his home. He was born Aug. 24, 1935, in Pratt, Kan., to Warren Winston and Margaret Ann (McNerney) Ackley.
Ackley was a graduate of Aurora High School and served in the United States Army and Provost Marshal Division in Heidleburg Germany during the Korean War. He was the owner of the Ackley Construction Company and was a member of the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Aurora. He worked in construction and farmed for 35 years. He was a member of the American Legion, Lions Club, Aurora Historical Society and Museum, Lawrence County Historical Society, Ozark Genealogical Society, a member and volunteer of the Aurora Chamber of Commerce, member of the Friends of Aurora Library, Wilson Creek Battlefield Foundation and the Santa Fe Trail Association. He was the sexton of the Mt. Calvary Cemetery for 17 years and volunteered at Maple Park Cemetery where he constructed the New Veteran’s Memorial for all veterans, both past and present. In 1957, he married Patricia Ann Foster in Aurora; she preceded him in death in 2016.
Ackley is survived by: son, Chris (Mary) Ackley of Aurora;  daughters, Tina Ackley, of Springfield, Suretta (Tony) Rector of Aurora and Jill Burlison of Jarrett, Texas; one nephew; three nieces; 14 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by: his parents; his wife; sister, Jean McCandless; brothers, Jack and Earl Ackley; and one great-grandson.
A funeral mass, under the direction of the Crafton-Cantrell Funeral Home, in Aurora,was held Nov. 14, 2019, at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Aurora. Burial with full military honors followed at the Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Memorials may be made payable to the Veteran’s Memorial at Maple Park Cemetery, in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be shared at www.CraftonCantrellFuneralHome.com.