John Kenyon Roberts

John Kenyon Roberts 96, of Crawfordsville died at Franciscan hospital on July 9 with his family at his side. Ken was born on April 1, 1930, in Indianapolis to Earl and Marie Batton Roberts and grew up on a farm near Ladoga. He graduated from Ladoga High School in 1948 where he enjoyed baseball and basketball. Many great friends and memories from those years made for amusing stories shared with his kids and grandkids. He attended Indiana University and later served in the USAF during the Korean conflict.

On October 20, 1950 he married Velma Demoret and they enjoyed 67 years of marriage until her death in 2017. Together they raised three sons and two daughters. He supported his family as a journeyman printer, employed at RR Donnelly for 42 years where he was known as “Rocky.” For several years he was a also livestock farmer.

Ken loved sports, especially baseball and the St Louis Cards. He grew up listening to the radio as a kid and followed the Cards the rest of his life. He enjoyed seeing and hearing about all his kids, grandkids and even great- grandkids sports careers. As recently as one year ago he was attending their games!

Ken was an active member at Rock Point Church. He read through the Bible three times in his life. He posted Bible verses on his Facebook page every Saturday night to encourage believers.

Ken was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, his son James “Jim” Roberts, his sister Berniece Warner, his son-in-law Paul Mishler, and many friends.

He is survived by his children, Janet (Bruce) Jones, John (Cindy) Roberts, Jill Mishler and Joe (Angela) Roberts. Also surviving are his ten grandchildren, Julie (Dan) Hendricks, Rob (Jessica) Jones, Clay (Brook) Jones, Megan (Jeremy) Shaw, Haley Roberts Beach, Brooke Taylor, Brandi (Zach) White, Kendi (Tony) Sanabria, Eve Roberts, Allison Roberts (Maddy). Ken also loved his twenty-one “Gen 4 “ great- grands which included Maggie (Lincoln), Jake, Mason, Sawyer, Sydney, Mady, Molly, Archer, Frances, Violet, Hudson, Isla, Kaidan (Lilli), Quyncee, Mia, Mayley, Westin, Lennon, Jude, and Gracie. Three great-great grandchildren are Hudson and Campbell, with Kasey James to arrive in October.

“ Our Dad had a great sense of humor and his motto was to “find the humor in each day.” He was a generous man who anonymously paid for needy kids to attend camp or go on senior trips. He donated Southmont family sports passes for many years to help out families. He was always asking who was going through a hard time and needed financial help. Dad always championed the underdog. He was our family treasure and we all looked to him for his wisdom and direction.”

The family has chosen a private service with Pastor Terry Thompson and Hunt and Son Funeral Home managing the arrangements. Interment will be at the New Ross cemetery.