Kenyon, David E.

David E. Kenyon, 60, of Manchester, died Tuesday, March 27, 2012, at Regional Medical Center, Manchester, leaving behind a grieving wife and eight loving children he was extremely proud. Friends may call from 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville, where a vigil service will be held at 3 p.m. Friends may continue to call from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Manchester, where services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday. The Rev. Jack Flaherty will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

David was born March 28, 1951, in Perry, Iowa, the son of Lauren Kenyon and Helen Blank Kenyon. He attended Minburn High School and graduated from UNI in 1981 with a B.A. degree in Social Work. David met the love of his life on July 28, 1978. They were joined in holy matrimony on June 2, 1979. David enjoyed spending time with his family, gardening, reading, riding bicycles and following the Iowa Hawkeyes. David would have humbly described himself as a simple man, but he was a hero to his friends and family, surviving a grueling cancer treatment in 2006 and becoming the epitome of a perfect husband and father.

Surviving are his wife of 32 years, Mary Potter Kenyon; their eight children: Daniel of Manchester, Elizabeth (Ben) Flesher of Manchester, Michael of Earlville, Rachel of Earlville, and four children at home: 18-year-old Matthew, 15-year-old Emily, 12-year-old Katherine, and 8-year-old Abigail; three grandchildren, including a 6-year-old grandson who is currently fighting his own cancer battle; a son-in-law whom he loved like his own son, Ben Flesher; and brothers: Keith (Margie) Kenyon of Dallas Center and Jeff (Cheryl) Kenyon of Perry; and sisters, Carol (Ben) Fox of Minburn, Linda (Tom) Nevitt of Perry, Susan Smith of Des Moines, Kim (Larry) Goodman of Perry and Laurie (Bill) Morgan of Boone.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.kramerfuneral.com.

Published March 29, 2012 in The Gazette