Kenneth Shepherd

April 22, 1942 - January 13, 2016

Kenneth Gene Shepherd, 73, of Bloomfield, Iowa passed away January 13, 2016 at the Hospice House in Ottumwa, Iowa. He was born April 22, 1942 in Ottumwa, Iowa to Harry Irl and Lucille Mae Butler Shepherd. He married Marie Whittle on November 24, 1993 in Columbia, Missouri. Kenneth graduated from Bloomfield High School, went to work for Harris Motors in Bloomfield, and then joined the U.S. Airforce in 1961. He was stationed in California until his discharge in 1965, at which point he went to work as an auto mechanic. Kenneth worked for several garages in California and was fanatic about all types of cars. His favorite being his 1957 Chevy, which he owned for 52 years. He loved going to car shows, watching drag racing, and going to the Eddyville Raceway. Kenneth was a member of the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Bloomfield. He is survived by his wife, Marie Shepherd of Bloomfield; three sons, Kenny (Tammy) Shepherd of Atwater, California, Tim (Judy) Shepherd of Merced, California, Mike (Michelle) Shepherd also of Atwater, California; step-son, Jimmy (Candie) Lovitte of Searcy, Arkansas; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two brothers, Larry (Janeitta) Shepherd of Fremont, Iowa, Richard (Mary Kay) Shepherd of Eddyville, Iowa; sister, Mary Ann (Dennis) Goodwin of Fremont, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Anna Mae Downing. Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 19, 2016 at the Wagler Funeral Home in Bloomfield with Pastor Tom Shipley officiating. Burial will be at the Memorial Lawn Cemetery in Ottumwa with military rites performed by V.F.W. Post #775 and American Legion Post #3 in Ottumwa. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Monday with the family present to greet friends from 5-7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials have been established to the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Bloomfield and Hospice of Wapello and Davis Counties.