Edwardsville—Kenneth Michael Ukena, 91, passed away at 10:05 a.m. Tuesday, November 28, 2023 at Anderson Hospital in Maryville.

Born June 28, 1932 in Fort Russell Township, he was the son of Henry and Anna (Smola) Ukena.

He married Shirley Ann (Miessner) Wiemers March 3, 1973 in Edwardsville.  She preceded him in death March 16, 2015.

The 1950 graduate of Edwardsville High School was a Korean War veteran of the U.S. Air Force.  Kenny retired as a Teamster for Pizzini Distributing.  He also was the owner/operator of the Edwardsville Sale Barn for 13 years.  He enjoyed family, birds, flowers, gardening, and scrapping.  He was a life member of the Edwardsville VFW Post #1299 and Moose Lodge #1561.

Survivors include two daughters and three stepchildren, Ronnie (Dennis) Seals, Marcia (Steve) Force, Tim (Patty) Wiemers, Robert Wiemers, and Renee Ukena; his sister, Loretta Carmody; 10 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his mother and father; siblings and their spouses, Virgil and Sarah Ukena, Vernon and Zelda Ukena, Evelyn and Sonny Tague, Coletta and Jack Dalton, and Novella and Walter Brockman.

Visitation will be Monday, Dec. 4 at Paynic Home for Funerals from 9 a.m. until services begin at 11 a.m.  Burial will follow at Rose Lawn Memory Gardens in Bethalto.

An online guestbook is available at www.paynicfh.com