Kenneth W. Whitmeyer, 71, died early Monday, March 10, 2025 at his home under the care of his family and Pathways Hospice after three years of failing health.
He was born April 16, 1953 in the hospital of Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho to Norma J. (Stone) Whitmeyer and the late Robert W. Whitmeyer. After his father’s discharge, the family moved to Crawford County where Ken grew up with his siblings and graduated from Wynford High School in 1971. Like his father, Ken joined the US Air Force and served from 1973-1979. The majority of his time was spent in Charleston AFB, South Carolina with various deployments including to Congo in Central Africa. On May 26, 1973, Ken married his sweetheart, Vicki Jo Wagner. Ken was a gifted handyman and mechanic. His work included Bucyrus Blades, Kinn Brothers, Hall Heating, and he retired from IB Tech where he was the Facility Manager.
Ken will be remembered for being an early riser who could fix anything he set his mind to. He could usually be found mowing his yard or tinkering on various projects in his shop while listening to his scanner or Barbershop music, another passion. He sang with groups including the Country Gentlemen, Marionaires, and recently United in Harmony. He was a member of VFW Post 1078 and the Color Guard of their Parade Unit and a long-time volunteer with the Holmes Twp. VFD. Ken and Vicki loved attending their grandchildren’s sporting events and, after his retirement, they took up RV camping with memorable trips along the west coast and several destinations in between.
Ken is survived by his bride of 51 years, Vicki Whitmeyer; mother, Norma Whitmeyer; sons, Scott (Krista) Whitmeyer and Ryan (Kay) Whitmeyer; grandchildren, Chase (Alexis) Whitmeyer, Adrienne Whitmeyer, Jesse Whitmeyer, Danielle Looker, Nick (Jessa) Looker, Owen Whitmeyer, and Zoe Whitmeyer; great grandchildren, Dawson, Scarlett, Damien, Chance, Makenna, and Nile,; siblings, Dan (Elaine) Whitmeyer, Colleen (Dan) Dotson, and Tammy (Mark) Kaiser; along with nieces, nephews, and extended family.
The Whitmeyer family will gather for a graveside service in Brokensword Cemetery on Friday, March 14 at 2:00 pm. The service will include Military Rites by the Air Force Honor Guard and Bucyrus Veterans Military Funeral Detail and be officiated by Celebrant Lisa Snyder.
Memorial donations can be made payable to Holmes Twp VFD or United in Harmony and given at the service or Wise Funeral Service in Bucyrus.
Memories and photos can be shared on the guestbook of Ken’s tribute page at www.wisefuneral.com.
