Hill, Kenton C.

Kenton C. Hill, 55, of Swansea, Ill., passed away peacefully at his residence Tuesday, July 2, 2013. A memorial service will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 9, at Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home in Vinton, with the Rev. Dr. Judith Bunyi officiating. Visitation will be held one hour before the service at the funeral home. Kenton's body was cremated, and inurnment with military rites by Geo. G. Luckey American Legion Post 57 of Vinton and Air Force Honor Guard will be in Garrison Cemetery, Garrison.

Kenton was born March 17, 1958, in Waterloo, Iowa, the son of Ogden and Geraldine Flickinger Hill. He graduated from Washington High School in Vinton in 1976. He was a Garrison resident until leaving for college.

Kenton graduated from the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, with a business degree in 1980. He received his master's degree in management from the University of Maryland in 1993.

On Dec. 10, 1983, Kenton was united in marriage with Kala Jeffries at the Presbyterian Church in Vinton.

Kenton retired as a Master Sergeant from the United States Air Force in 2005, following 24 years of service. His military career took his family to Weisbaden, Germany; Las Vegas, Nev., Osan AFB in South Korea; San Antonio, Texas; and Goodfellow AFB in San Angelo, Texas. He continued to work in civil service at Scott AFB until his passing.

He was a member of Community Bible Church in Swansea.

Kenton is survived by his wife of 29 years, Kala Jeffries Hill of Swansea, Ill.; three children, Grant (Amber) Hill of San Angelo, Texas, Nicholas Hill of San Angelo, Texas and Jennifer Hill of Swansea, Ill.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Vincent and Keavin Hill. Memorials may be directed to the charity of the donor's choice.

Kurrus Funeral Home of Belleville, Ill., and Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home of Vinton, Iowa are caring for Kenton and his family.

Condolences may be left at www.vsrfh.com.

Published July 7, 2013 in The Gazette