Kenny McKean, 91, of Hershey, NE, passed away Thursday, March 6, 2014, at Great Plains Regional Medical Center in North Platte, NE.
He was born William Kenneth McKean on March 19, 1922, to William Art and Clara Mae Oliver McKean at Wallace, NE. He graduated from Hershey High School then served in the U.S. Army from 1943 to 1946. Kenny served in Europe during W.W.II, and also in Korea during the Korean War.
Following his discharge, Kenny returned to the Hershey area and hired on with the Union Pacific Railroad where he worked for 41 years, retiring in 1982. Kenny was an Agent for the U.P. in Hershey from 1956 until the station closed in 1971. He was the Mobile Agent for Hershey, Sutherland, Paxton, Roscoe and Ogallala until his retirement.
On March 20, 1948, Kenny married Bessie Ellen Swiggert at Julesburg, CO and they made their home in Hershey.
Kenny was a member of the V.F.W. Post #9798, American Legion Post #279, the Lincoln County Veterans Service Committee and a charter member of the Hershey Lions Club. He was a life member of the Union Pacific Old Timers Club, a member of the Transportation Communications Union and 40 & 8 where he held both local and state offices. Kenny also served as a member of the Hershey Volunteer Fire Department for 35 years and was on the Riverside Cemetery District since its beginning in 1967. He took care of the Riverside, Lamont and Trinity Cemeteries.
Kenny enjoyed stamp and coin collecting and playing cards at the Senior Center. He also belonged to a stamp club and a coin club. Kenny especially enjoyed being with his family and friends, but his passion was playing Bingo.
He is survived by his daughters, Peggy (Jack) Moorhead, of Hershey and Ramona McConnell, of North Platte; seven grandchildren, Cynthia (Gary) Schnieders, of Jefferson City, MO, Burt McConnell (Phyllis Mackley), of Hershey, William (Roseann) McConnell, of Tucson, AZ, Matt Moorhead (Yolanda Milton), of Lincoln, NE, Kassie (Matt) Pelster, of Elsie, NE, Mitch (Stephanie) Moorhead and Marc (Brooke) Moorhead, all of Hershey; 15 great-grandchildren; 13 great great-grandchildren; and other family.
Kenny was preceded in death by his wife, Bessie; a son-in-law, Robert ‘Bob’ McConnell; and his parents, Art and Clara.
Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 11, 2014, at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore. Burial with military honors will follow in Fort McPherson National Cemetery. Visitation will be from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday with family greeting friends from 5 to 7 p.m. at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore. Condolences may also be shared at odeanchapel.com. Memorials are suggested to the Hershey Senior Center or the donor’s choice. Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.