Kenneth “Ken” Anderson, Sr. – Obituary
LOCK HAVEN – How do you put into words the life of a man who lived his life humbly, giving to others, loving his family, sharing his world with the love of his life, and walking in the path of his God and Savior?
Kenneth “Ken” Anderson, Sr. known affectionately by his family and friends as “Sonny. On Sunday, December 17, 2017, he spent his final day here on this earth at “home” in Bitumen, the place where he spent many happy childhood years. Born in Renovo on October 11, 1934, to Berger and Marie (Greene) Anderson, he shared many loving and memorable years with his brothers, sisters, and cousins. As the oldest son born into this family, he was loved by his older sisters Ruth (Simon) Andrews, Lois (Dick) Quiggle. Betty (Bud) Fantaske, and then his younger sisters Janet (Chuck) Hickin, and Linda (Dick) Grenell, and his three baby brothers Berger Faith), Denny (Mary), and Bill (Kathy). He had an older sister Jeannie, tht died as a baby.
Throughout the years, their parents instilled within their children, the love of Jesus Christ, the love for family, and the caring for all those in need. Somewhere along this path, he met and fell in love with the absolute love of his life, Patty Laubscher. God wasn’t ready for Ken in Heaven when in 1955, he had an accident just days before their planned wedding day. Through the power of prayers and a belief our Lord, they were married one month later and their wedding has been a story shared by many. He and Patty built their home in Swissdale, where together, they started their family and life. From their love, three children were born. Cindy (Wayne) Love, Deb (Jeff) Schlesinger, and Kenny (Wanda) Jr. The family continued to grow with the addition of 6 grandchildren, Troy Love, Todd Love, Jeff Schlesinger, Erin Schlesinger, Kenny Anderson III, and Jessie Anderson. The Anderson family continued to grow with the addition of 4 grandsons Aiden Love, Hunter Love, Vaughn Love, and Eli Anderson. What joy and happiness he knew watching his family grow, watching and sharing in their lives, and silently praying for each of them to be strong and happy.
We could tell of his interests (antique cars), we could tell of his job history (Asplundh Tree Trimming, Ford Plant in Buffalo, GE Plant in Erie, Renovo Railroad, Fairless Steel Mill in Levittown, Masonry with his father and brothers throughout the Renovo area, Police Officer in Woodward and Dunnstable Townships, working Hoy and Harger, and his many years spent at International Paper.).
We could tell how he was always helping in the community and involved in many aspects such as his beloved Swissdale Church, where he was a Trustee for many years, serving on the Admin Council, and taking care of the maintenance and upkeep of this small country church he loved so dearly. We could tell how he was very involved with the boy scouts with his son and Swissdale Troop 56. We could even tell that he once was a member of Lafayette Lodge #199 F&AM, the Altoona Jaffa Shrine, and LaBelle Blue Lodge in Williamsport. We could tell of all that, but this man known to many as Ken, known to others as Sonny, to his loved ones as Dad and Pappy. Would not want the glory, nor would he want the spotlight. What he would want is for his family and friends to grow, to give thanks to their Lord, to live a life giving and caring for others, and to know that someday soon, he will be standing at the gate, with that grin on his face and that twinkle in his eye, welcoming us home.
The celebration of the earthly life of Ken Anderson will be held on Friday December 22, 2017 at 11:00 AM in the Swissdale United Methodist Church, 974 Croak Hollow Rd., Lock Haven, PA. Officiating will be Pastor Roger Yoder of the church. Interment will be in the Swissdale cemetery. Family and friends will be received in the church Friday morning from 9:00 AM until the time of the services at 11:00. The family will provide the flowers and suggest memorials in Ken’s name be made to the Swissdale UM Church.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Yost-Gedon Funeral Home & Cremation Services LLC, 121 W. Main St. Lock Haven, PA.
Online thoughts and memories can be made at www.yost-gedonfuneralhome.com
