Edward Kennedy Obituary

Funeral services for Edward John Kennedy, a longtime Mancos resident, will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 5, at the Ertel Memorial Chapel. Rev. Bud Rousset will officiate, and military honors will be provided by Ute Mountain American Legion Post 75. Interment will follow at Cedar Grove Cemetery with Masonic Rites being conducted by Mancos Lodge 100 A.F. & A.M.

Edward was born March 11, 1921, in Ackman, Colo., the son of John Wesley and Emma (Gilliland) Kennedy. He passed away at his Mancos home Thursday, March 31, 2011, at the age of 90.

On March 16, 1946, Edward married Elsie LaVerne Swenk in Aztec, N.M. Elsie and Edward had just celebrated 65 years of marriage. During World War II, Edward proudly served his country in the Army Air Corp. After his discharge, he became a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5231. In addition to his VFW membership, Edward belonged to the Mancos Grange and Mancos Masonic Lodge 100. In his free time, Edward enjoyed hunting, fishing and silversmithing.

Surviving Edward are his beloved wife, Elsie Kennedy of Mancos; three sons, Gary D. Kennedy and wife Catherine of Mancos, Walter Kennedy and wife, Ana Maria of Aurora, Colo., and James D. Kennedy and wife Tammy of Bloomfield, N.M.; 14 grandchildren and 34 great grandchildren; and a daughter-in-law, Linda Kennedy of Cleveland, Utah.

Those preceding Edward in death were his son, Ronald Kennedy; and five sisters and brothers, Edna Hansberry, Loran Kennedy, Lorreine O'Brien, Claude Kennedy and Henry Ewing.

Memorial contributions can be made in memory of Edward Kennedy with the Mancos Ambulance Fund, c/o Mancos Fire Department, PO Box 145, Mancos, CO 81328.

Services are under the direction of Ertel Funeral Home. For further information or to send condolences, log on to www.ertelfuneralhome.com and click on the obituary section.