Kenneth Buford Hoenshell passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 96 on Thursday, October 10th, 2024, at St. Lukes, Carthage, Mo.   Kenneth was born October 17th, 1927 in Jasper, Mo to Frank Leroy and Lora Emaline (Hemphill) Hoenshell.  He attended Jasper R-5 School and graduated with the class of 1945.  He worked at the Jasper Post Office during high school.  Uncle Sam called his name in January, 1946, where he was stationed at Fort Knox, Ky.  After his military service, he attended college at SMS in Springfield, Mo and majored in art and math.  After college he went back to Jasper and rejoined the Postal Service in 1950.  He was a Rural Mail Carrier, serving all three routes, for 36 years, retiring in 1986.

On October, 27th, 1950, he married Nelle Elizabeth Smith in Springfield, Mo and were blessed with nearly 74 years of marriage.  They made their home in Jasper, Mo for 56 years before moving to Carthage, Mo.  He was a member of the Jasper Methodist Church  for over 80 years.  He and Nelle were active with the MYF (Methodist Youth Fellowship), nurturing many youth to follow Christ. Being a Christian was an important  part of his life.  He loved singing and sang with a mens quartet.

Kenneth was preceded in death by his father (Frank), mother(Lora), brother and sister-in-law (Doyle and Lois Hoenshell).

He is survived by his wife Nelle and their three sons : Gary Lynn (Patty) of Carthage, Mo, Robert Glen (Penny) of Webb City, Mo, and  Stephen Dean (Willa) of Joplin, Mo.  He is also survived by 6 Grand Children: Nathan Hoenshell (Sara), Callie Gourley (Jesse), Joshua Hoenshell (Corina), Brook Walker (Shandon), Jessica Hilton (Wade), Brittany Lepper (Austin); and 14 Great Grand Children: Hadley and Magnus Hoenshell, Dausen and Hunter Gourley, Alli, Andrew, and Oaklyn Hoenshell, Alaya, Caymen, and Skylynne Walker, Molly and Sadie Hilton, Adalynn and Anna Lepper.  He loved his entire family very much.

Nelle and family want to express a special thanks to his caregiver and friend, Carol Cobaugh.

Memorial contributions can be made to Paradise Cemetery or Jasper Methodist Church.