| Date of Birth | January 18, 1914 |
| Passed Away | May 4, 2008 |
| Place of Residence | Hornell |
| Home State | NY |
| Service Date | May 7, 2008 |
| Service Time | 11:00 AM |
| Service Location | United Presbyterian Church |
| Interment Location | St. Ann's Cemetery, Hornell, N.Y. |
J. KENNETH WEIKAL
HORNELL-J. Kenneth Weikal, 94, formerly of 16 Pearl St., entered into rest early Sunday morning (May 4, 2008) at the Elder Care Home in Hornell, where he has resided since October of 1997.
Born in Greenville, Pa. on Jan. 18, 1914, he was the son of the late George W. and Rachel McGrath Weikal. On Valentines Day in 1948 he was married at St. Ignatius Loyola Church in Hornell to the former Helen Boyle, who predeceased him on May 11, 1997 after 49 years of marriage. Besides his parents and wife, he was also predeceased by his sister, Pauline Hobaugh.
A graduate of Penn State, Ken received his degree in engineering and served as the president of his graduating class. He served with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers during World War II and was stationed at Pearl Harbor when it was attacked and later in Persia. He also served with the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict.
Ken has resided in Hornell since 1946 and was employed for 30 years by the former Erie and Erie-Lackawanna Railroads retiring as Division Engineer from New York to Chicago. Following his retirement form the railroad he was employed for about 10 years with the NYSDOT in Hornell. For several years he also served as an engineering consultant for the City of Hornell.
He was a member, a past elder and former head usher of the United Presbyterian Church in Hornell for many years. An avid Penn State fan, he loved to watch their football games on TV and also enjoyed reading, doing crossword puzzles, traveling and going for drives to see the scenery around the countryside.
His family includes several nieces and nephews, including Joanne Burke (Julius) McNutt of Rochester; also his great nieces and nephews.
Calling hours are from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at the Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc., 285 Main St., Hornell. A funeral and committal services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Davidson Memorial Chapel of the United Presbyterian Church in Hornell. Interment will be in St. Ann’s Cemetery in Hornell.
Those wishing may contribute in his memory to the United Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund, 150 Main St., Hornell, NY 14843. Envelopes for memorial contributions will be available at the funeral home.
I am sorry to hear about the passing Mr. Weikal. He was a beloved neighbor for 20 years. I grew up on Pearl Street saying hello to the Weikals, as they sat on their front porch, watching us kids walk to the school park. He could always be seen mowing his lawn with his trusty push mower and working around the house. I will always remember him on Halloween handing out shiny new nickels on a silver platter!
May you Rest in Peace.
As a former member of the church, I well remember Mr. Weikel. Even after I had left Hornell, he would ask my parents about me. When I visited, he was always at the church ready, with outstretched hand, to welcome me and make me feel at home. He will be sorely missed.