Kenneth Vail (84) of Altamont

Kenneth E. Vail, 84, of Altamont, died at 8:30 p.m. Sunday, May 7, 2017 at Lakeland Health & Rehabilitation Center, Effingham.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, May 11 at Gieseking Funeral Home, Altamont with Kevin Knierim officiating. Burial will follow at Salem Methodist Cemetery, rural Altamont with military graveside rites by Gieseking-Schwerdtfeger VFW Post #7676. Visitation will be for two hours prior to service time. Memorials may be made to the donor’s choice.

Online condolences may be expressed by clicking here.

Kenneth was born on Saturday, July 23, 1932 in Shumway, IL to Walter W. and Jessie (Workman) Vail. He married Pauline Higgs on November 3, 1951 in Altamont. He was a member of Salem Methodist Church, rural Altamont, served in the U.S. Navy and was retired from World Color Press, Effingham.

Surviving him are his wife of over 65 years, Pauline, of Altamont; son, Bradford E. Vail and his wife Shirley of Oak Harbor, Washington; daughter, Connie Van Zanten and her husband Jack of Chester, Virginia; brothers, Ralph Vail and his wife Florence of Effingham, Gary Vail and his wife Jane of Charlotte, NC, Darrell W. Vail of Altamont; sisters, Evea Davidson and her husband Arthur of Carmi, Mary Kienietz of Clifton, CO, and Lois Smith and her husband Jim of O’Fallon, IL; 3 grandchildren, Matthew Van Zanten and his wife Angie, Hank Van Zanten, and Heidi Van Zanten; 2 great grandchildren, Andra and Lane Van Zanten and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Robert Vail, Richard Vail and Donald Vail and sister, Virginia Holland.