Kenneth C. Kinsey, Jr., 77 of Viola, died Thursday, August 21, 2025, at his home. Military Honors by the Aledo American Legion will be held at 3 p.m., Tuesday, August 26, at Speer Funeral Home, Aledo. Visitation will follow Military honors from 3 to 7 p.m. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Private family burial will be at the National Cemetery, Rock Island Arsenal. Memorials may be made to the Viola Fire Department or to the Kinsey family.
Kenneth Charles was born on December 2, 1947, in Iowa City, Iowa, to Kenneth C. and Dorothy (Nelson) Kinsey, Sr. He served his country in the United States Army during the Viet Nam war. Kenneth and the former Lorraine Hill were married on August 23, 1968, in Rock Island, Illinois.
Jr. was a truck driver with the Teamsters Local #371, driving for McLean, Holland, Dohrn, and American truck companies. He enjoyed driving trucks, but his heart was with the horses. His family built the 4K Plus Arena where he excelled at roping. 4-H even used this arena for their 4-H shows. Jr. also enjoyed Bull Riding and Bareback Riding at rodeos in his early years. He loved hunting, fishing, and trap shooting. His family was very important to him, never missing any event they were involved in. He treasured time spent with family at all the rodeos, demo derbies, and go kart races.
Jr.’s legacy will live on with his family: wife, Lorraine; sons and daughters-in-law, Clint and Susie Kinsey and Chad and Terri Kinsey; grandchildren, Tony Wooddell and Kelli Losey, Cash Kinsey, Tanner and Dalana Schmidt, and Trevor Schmidt and Kelsie Holton; great-grandchildren, Charlotte, Adalyn, Joshua, Payton, and Wyatt Kellogg, Bennett Schmidt, Braxten Schmidt, and Hannah Schmidt; great-great-grandchild, Nolan Kellogg; and siblings, Connie Fink, Steve and Theresa Kinsey, Susan and Mike Beard, and Sherrie and Jeff Cordes. Jr. was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Dave Kinsey; and brother-in-law, Jim Fink.