Kenneth D. Phelps, 93, passed away on Thursday, November 14, 2024, at Genesis East.
Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at the Ss. Mary Mathias Catholic Church. The Reverend Chris Weber will officiate. Burial will take place in St. Mary’s Cemetery. Luncheon will follow the burial at Gannon Hall.
Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, at the Ralph J. Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Muscatine Humane Society. Online Condolences may be made at www.wittichfuneralhome.com.
Kenny was born on August 2, 1931, in Muscatine, the son of Kenneth Dolson and Juanita Ida Macklan Phelps. He married Dorothy J. Orr on August 30, 1951, in Muscatine at the St. Mathias church. She preceded him in death on August 11, 1993. He then married Janet Dowd on February 1, 1995. She also preceded him in death on February 14, 2014.
Kenny is a 1949 graduate of Muscatine High School. He then went to Muscatine Community College and earned his 2-year degree. Kenny was proud of working at the Rock Island Arsenal before stepping down to work at the family business, Phelps Bros Laundry. He owned and operated Kenway Cleaners with his wife, Dorothy. He retired as a supervisor at the McKee Button Factory.
Kenny was a member of the Knights of Columbus in Muscatine and Centerville, Iowa, Loyal Order of the Moose in Muscatine, and Moravia Ruritan Club. He was a past president of the St. Mathias PTA, Muscatine QB Club, Moravia Ruritan Club, and was chairman for the Appanoose Co. Conservation Board. He was a cantor at St. Mary’s Church in Centerville, Iowa and sang in the choir for Methodist church in Moravia, IA.
Kenny enjoyed hunting and fishing. He enjoyed sporting activities, even if he hasn’t had a favorite baseball team since the Dodgers left Brooklyn but enjoyed watching any Iowa Hawkeye games.
Kenny is survived by his daughters, Barbara Beason and husband, Mike, of Waukee, Iowa, Cynthia Snider and husband, Howard, of Seymour, Iowa, Diane Frantz and husband, Mike, of Muscatine, and Susan Wolf and husband, Craig, of Muscatine; nine grandchildren, Craig (Kelly) Beason, Ann Perrin, Michelle (Lance) Lange, Jill (Justin) Dell, Kristen (Levi) Paris, Michael (Casey) Frantz, Josh Avesing, Paige (Scott) Wymer, and Ethan (Savannah) Frantz; 16 great grandchildren; and three stepdaughters and their families.
He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Dorothy; wife, Janet; one great granddaughter, Jacqueline Dell; brother, Donald Phelps; and in-laws, Lenny and Marie Orr.