Kenneth Pfister

Kenneth E. Pfister Sr., 79, of Pontiac died at 6:15 p.m. Friday (Dec. 11, 2009) at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, Peoria.

His service will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Duffy Funeral Home, Pontiac. Visitation will be from noon to 2 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Southside Cemetery, Pontiac, with full military honors.

Kenneth was born Aug. 26, 1930, in Secor, the son of Peter A. and Esther Woltzen Pfister. He married Elizabeth Schieler on Aug. 5, 1950, in Pontiac. She survives in Pontiac.

Also surviving are three sons, Kenneth (Becky) Pfister Jr. of Texarkana, Texas, Michael (Kathy) Pfister of Virginia Beach, Va., and Randy Pfister of Pontiac; two daughters, Kathy (Steve) Gragert of Pontiac, and Mary Pfister of Pontiac; and 11 grandchildren, Jennifer (Chris) Roberts of Texarkana, Texas, Adam (Rachael) Pfister of Texarkana, Texas, Jim (Valeska) Telford of Germantown Hills, Nicki (Felix) Salinas of Pontiac, Stephanie Gragert of Pontiac, Cord Gragert of Fort Sill, Okla. (U.S. Army), Colt Gragert of Pontiac, Marilyn Pfister of Dwight, Madison Pfister of Monterey, Calif. (U.S. Marines), Jadon Pfister of Pontiac, and Shaelah Pfister of Pontiac.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

He was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Pontiac. He was a lifetime member of the VFW.

He had been a milkman from 1949 to 1991, working for Meadow Gold, Williams Dairy, and Forrest Milk Products. Throughout this time, he also drove a school bus for Pontiac school district.

He was a graduate of Pontiac Township High School.

He served in the U.S. Army National Guard from 1951 to 1954, serving in the Korean War. He earned the Korean Service Medal with three bronze service stars, the United Nations Service Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal.

Ken always signed off as the "All Pro Milkman - retired." He enjoyed and played fast-pitch softball for many years and was regarded as an exceptional player.

Memorials may be made to AMVETS or Pontiac VFW.