Date of death: 11/14/2017
Saint Meinrad Class: O 1954
Jack Kenkel, of Crescent Springs, KY died on Tuesday, November 14, 2017 of natural causes. He was 90. Jack grew up in Dayton, Ky. and graduated from Dayton High School. After high school, Jack commenced the journey to becoming a Roman Catholic Priest by attending St. Meinrad Seminary where he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Theology. He continued his studies at Catholic University of America, and while home for a visit, he met the love of his life, Hazel Laverne Soward. The plan to be a priest changed, and they were married in 1952. Jack and Hazel remained married for fifty years until Hazel died in 2002 from complications from diabetes. Jack was Hazel’s loving caregiver for the last six years of her life. Always devoted to his Catholic faith, he was a member of St. Henry Parish and then St. Joseph Parish. Jack loved all sports, but especially followed UK basketball and Notre Dame football. Jack is preceded in death by Hazel; parents Herbert and Rose Kenkel; stepfather George Ilg; sister, Helen Modlin; brother, Harry Kenkel and granddaughters, Gina Kenkel and Stephanie Reynolds. He is survived by sons, Robert (Valerie) Kenkel, Jack Jr. (Sandy) Kenkel and Stephen (Yee) Kenkel; daughters, Maria (Bill) Wehner and Theresa (Jim) McGlone; brother Albert Kenkel; sister Shirley Trauth; 13 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild.