September 29, 1919 – October 30, 2018
Howard A. Kenley Jr., 99, Noblesville, passed away Tuesday, October 30, 2018. He was born on September 29, 1919, in Terre Haute. His wife Marcia passed away in 2001.
Howard, like many people raised during the Depression, attended many schools growing up. He earned varsity letters at Knightstown High School in basketball and baseball and graduated from Alexandria High School. Howard wore his varsity letter sweater from Knightstown at his 99th birthday party held at his home this last September. He attended Indiana University on a county scholarship. Two were awarded per county based on results of a statewide achievement test. He remained a loyal fan throughout his life.
In 1941, Howard enlisted in the United States Army. Later, he went to Officer Candidate School in the Army in El Paso, Texas, and served as a Lieutenant. While there, he married his first wife, Elvera Hayter, who passed away in 1953. In 1943, Howard transferred to the Air Corps and was trained as a navigator on a B-17 at San Antonio, Texas, and then flew with the 15th Air Force out of Foggia, Italy, logging 35 missions in 1944 and 1945, all with the same crew he had trained with. Howard was awarded many combat medals, including the Distinguished Flying Cross, and accumulated 175 points at a time when 75 points was sufficient for a discharge. He was transferred back to the states and was awaiting reassignment to Japan at San Diego, Calif., when the war ended with Harry Truman dropping the bomb. Howard liked to say, “l never loved a d____ Democrat so much in my life.” Howard was discharged as a Captain.
After the war, in keeping with his membership in the Greatest Generation, Howard returned to Noblesville with his wife, took over the family grocery business with his brother, Jack, and ran that business with Jack, his dad, his Uncle Robert, and later with his sons, Luke, Jim, and Tom for more than 50 years. Kenley’s Market was the hometown grocer of Noblesville, ultimately employing thousands of Hamilton County natives and serving the people of Hamilton County with good meat, produce and groceries at a good price and superior service. He ran a successful business, was a member of many service clubs, served on the Noblesville City Council, raised eight children successfully, and was regarded in the community as a gentleman, a supporter of good causes, and a man whose word could always be trusted. He gave up golf at 95, saying that a 21 handicap was more than anyone should tolerate. Howard was a member of the Christian Science Church.
Howard is survived by his brother, Jack Kenley (wife Nancy); children, Luke (wife Sally and three children, Bill, John and Betsy), David (wife Jacky and four daughters, Juliann, Katie, Lisa and Jennifer), Carol Jo Gumz (husband Sherman), Pam Cammack (husband Greg and three children, Matt (deceased), Megan and Mindi), Jim (wife Judy and three sons, Alex, Paul and Colin), Greg Swhier (three children, Alison, Gregory and Jimmy), Tom (two daughters, Holly and Heather), and Bob (wife Barbara); and 24 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, November 6, 2018 at Randall & Roberts Funeral Center, 1685 Westfield Road, Noblesville. Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, November 7, 2018 at the funeral home, with an additional visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at Crownland Cemetery in Noblesville.
Memorial contributions may be made in lieu of flowers to the Great Futures Fund of the Boys and Girls Club of Noblesville, 1700 Conner St., Noblesville, IN 46060; or Wheeler Mission, 205 E. New York St., Indianapolis, IN 46204.
Condolences: randallroberts.com
Arrangements
Calling: 4 to 8 p.m., Nov. 6; 10 to 11 a.m., Nov. 7
Service: 11 a.m., Nov. 7
Location: Randall & Roberts Funeral Center
Condolences: randallroberts.com