Kenneth Bollinger

MARBLE HILL, Mo. — Kenneth "Ken" or "Kenny" Eugene Bollinger, 84, of Marble Hill went to be with the good Lord on Monday, April 10, 2023.

Ken was born Aug. 23, 1938, in Mayfield, Missouri, to John H. and Gracie "Gertie" Bollinger, the youngest of six children.

In 1957, he married his wife, Patsy, and they started their long, beautiful life together. They raised two children, Jeff and Sandy. Married for almost 66 years, they stand out as an example of marriage for their family and friends. They learned to laugh at themselves and knew when to let an argument go. Over the years, they grew together and enjoyed the same hobbies, collecting antiques, spending time with their grandkids and competing in tractor pulls with their classic John Deeres. If Kenny couldn't pull the tractor on any given day, Pat would; they were a true Mean Green Pulling Team.

Ken was deeply connected to his birthplace, building his own home just up the steep gravel hill from where he was born, and raising his own children and grandchildren there. He loved Bollinger County and was a member of Little Whitewater Baptist Church his entire life. Whether he was deer hunting, tilling the garden for Pat, helping keep the roads graded, or making sure the hay got made, he was a good steward of his land.

He worked hard and lived modestly, laying a solid foundation for his family. Even after retiring from Procter & Gamble, he took his hobbies seriously, researching tractor parts carefully and traveling all over to find them. If the phone line was tied up, his family knew he was talking to another collector. He was especially proud of a John Deere he restored and donated in 2019 to raise money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Kenny had a unique and inherent confidence. It wasn't prideful or off-putting, but rather came from being clear on who he was and what he believed. Respected by everyone, he was the guy people went to for help, advice and tractor parts. It was important to him to be that guy. He was a member of the West View Masonic Lodge 103 for over 50 years. He was sociable and had strong friendships both at home and away and was known in his circles. He was frequently asked to travel to compete or announce at tractor pulls.

Above all else, he was proud of his family, and he made sure they knew it. When gathered around the table with his kids, grandkids and great-grandkids, his favorite thing to do was turn to Pat and say, "Well, Mom, look at what we did." A patriarch in the best sense of the word, he took his responsibility to lead and provide for his family very seriously, loved them generously and lived his life well.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, as well as his siblings, Alma Cook, Velma Slinkard, John "Bill" Bollinger, L.V. Bollinger and Jolene Abott.

He is survived by his wife, Pat Bollinger; children, Jeff (Melissa) Bollinger and Sandy (Kevin) Walker; grandchildren, Cody (Shannon) Walker, Kara (Jack) Kynion, Nathan (Stephanie) Kocher, Alyssa (Raul) Contreras and Adam (Courtney) Walker; and 10 great-grandchildren, whom he loved to count — Aaron, Olivia, Adeline, Colby, Jack, Caroline, Lyla, Elijah, Lucia and Anne.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 13, at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson and from 10 a.m. to service time Friday, April 14, at Little Whitewater Baptist Church in Mayfield Holler, near Patton, Missouri.

The Revs. Don Slatton and Don Estes will conduct the funeral service at 11 a.m. Friday at the church, followed by interment at Pulliam Cemetery near Scopus, Missouri.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to Pulliam Cemetery.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by clicking on the tribute wall tab above Kenny's obituary at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.