Kenneth Lee Simnitt, 80, of Troy, Illinois, passed away on Sunday, February 1, 2026, at Anderson Hospital in Maryville, Illinois.

He was born on April 23, 1945, in Steele City, Nebraska, to the late Otis Simnitt and Illa Fern (née Dorman) Fielder. Kenneth honorably served his country in the United States Army.

Kenneth was a retired welder and a man who enjoyed the simple pleasures of life. He loved riding motorcycles, camping, and, most of all, spending time with his family.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a grandson, Devyn Trampe.

He is survived by his wife, Twila (née Zweifel) Simnitt; his five children: Richard (Caroline) Truelove of Wentzville, Missouri, Kelly (David) Trampe of Troy, Illinois, Kenna (Steve) LaRue of Lawrence, Kansas, Michele (Steve) Nutsch of Wichita, Kansas, and Marcela Berney-Brown of Sterling, Kansas; 10 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild on the way.

Kenneth is also survived by his siblings: Danny K. (Ava) Simnitt of Clyde, Kansas, Peggy Wilkinson of Clay Center, Kansas, and Judy Koss of Washington, Kansas.

A graveside service with full military honors will be held at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, February 12, 2026.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Wounded Warrior Project and will be received at Barry Wilson Funeral Home, 2800 N. Center Street, Maryville, Illinois 62062.