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Rock River Thresheree, Inc.

Since 1955
Memorials

Robert J. Kennedy, Sr.

(1926-1998)

Member #44

Rock River Thresheree Class of 1965

JANESVILLE -- Robert J. Kennedy Sr., age 72, of 115 Apache Drive, Janesville, died on Saturday, May 16, 1998, at University Hospital in Madison. He was born on January 19, 1926, in Janesville, the son of William J. and Elizabeth (Grove) Kennedy. A Footville/Janesville resident all his life, he graduated from Janesville High School in 1943 and attended the University of Wisconsin at Whitewater. He married Delores Kasmarek on November 12, 1949, in Janesville. Mr. Kennedy served in the Army Air Corps Eighth Air Force during World War II. He served in the European Theater and flew over 30 missions as a turret gunner on a B17. Mr. Kennedy was President of William J. Kennedy and Sons, Inc. from 1955 to 1994. He was also President of Rock Road Companies, Inc. from 1976 to 1994. Mr. Kennedy was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, Janesville Country Club, past Director of the Wisconsin Road Builders Association, past President of the Wisconsin Asphalt Pavement Association, past State Director of the National Asphalt Association, member of the Footville VFW and past Commander of the American Legion.

He is survived by his wife, Delores of Janesville; three daughters, Connie K. (Brad) Karnstedt of Coppell, Texas, Colleen K. (William) Beaudry of Milwaukee and Carrie E. (John) Thompson of Tucson, Arizona; three sons, William E. (Diane) Kennedy, Stephen M. (Karen) Kennedy and Robert J. (Joanne) Kennedy Jr., all of Janesville; fifteen grandchildren, Meghan, Sarah, Sean, Billy and Caitlin Kennedy, Robert Fell, Lauren, Kristopher and Kelsey Kennedy, Katherine, Robert III and Joseph Kennedy and Chase Hite, Brittany and Dylan Thompson; two sisters, Kathleen (Bob) Helgesen of Evansville and Bette Jane (Bill) Ness of Janesville. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Harold.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 20, 1998, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church with Father Ray Kertz and Father Thomas Doheny officiating. Interment will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Friends may call from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19, 1998, at the Schneider Funeral Home, Janesville, where there will be a Vigil Service at 7:45 p.m. Memorials preferred to St. Mary Catholic Church.

[Source: The Janesville Gazette, May 1998]