Kenneth Ray Stearns

Kenneth Ray Stearns, 79, of Carterville, passed away Monday, February 12, 2024, at Memorial Hospital in Carbondale.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m., Saturday, February 24, 2024, at Riggin-Pillatsch & Burke Funeral Home in Carterville. Burial will be held at a later date.

Kenneth was born July 25, 1944, in Carbondale, to Cleetus and Eathel Stearns. He married Pauline Kaye Parker on April 8, 1967, in Carbondale. She preceded him in death on September 9, 2023.

He is survived by his son, Mark (Sherrie Lee) Stearns; grandchildren, Scott A. Stearns, Samuel J. Stearns, and Olivia A. Stearns; great-grandchildren, Paige, Kaitlin, Charlie, William, Beau, and Jocelyn.

Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents; wife; and grandson, Brian Stearns.

He honorably served our country in the United States Air Force.

Kenneth worked at Bill’s Guns and Jim’s Sporting Goods in Murdale Shopping Center, then Prairie Farms before being a welder for A.L. Lee mining equipment company in Mt. Vernon for over 20 years.

He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing. Kenneth also liked painting duck decoys, photography, and going out to eat with friends.

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