Kenneth E. Hughes

Kenneth E. Hughes (age 84) passed on June 13, 2018. 

Born to Grace & Harold Hughes on September 15, 1932,  Ken grew up in both St. Louis and Vienna Missouri.  After serving 5 years in the Navy during the Korean War, Ken completed his degree and began teaching at East St. Louis Senior High School.  Soon, he began his life-time career with Chrysler Corporation as a District Manager which eventually brought him and family to the tri-state area.  Following his retirement with Chrysler, Ken pursued other local ventures.  Here, Ken and wife Leanna began their involvement with the historic downtown Newburgh business area by investing in one of the cornerstone buildings and forming a shop known for 20 years as Sprinklesburg Village.  Later Ken and Leanna owned The Exchange Hotel building on the opposite downtown corner where Ken operated River Town Antique Mall. 

Ken was elected to Newburgh Town Council and served as a councilman for ten years.  He also was a board member for the Historic Newburgh Incorporated board and served as president for two years for the organization.  Ken was known for his “historian efforts” as well as his involvement with the Newburgh Fiddler Fest for 15 years in which he chaired and was the “chief fish-cooker”.  Other activities included his role as “the old coot” during 10 years of the HNI Ghost Walks.  In recent years, Ken would often be found strolling downtown Newburgh with his beloved white fur-baby Mitzy. 

Ken lived and fought with Alzheimer’s for the past ten years.  He is survived by his wife Leanna of 35 years, his daughter Kathy and son-in-law Gary Dunn, grandson Theo and grand-daughter-in-law Alexis Hagan of Michigan, grandson Tim of Newburgh, as well as brother Ron (wife Marilyn) Hughes of Missouri and several nieces and nephews plus many cousins.  He was blessed with loads of special devoted friends both near and far.

Ken loved his family, his Newburgh community with both its historic district and its beautiful riverfront and enjoyed being a town volunteer.  His other passions included woodworking, building model airplanes, reading and travelling with Leanna.  Over the years, Ken received many awards including State of Indiana Main Street Business of the Year, Newburgh Outstanding Citizen award and the HNI Board Member Emeritus designation.

A Memorial Service will be held at 6 p.m., with visitation beginning at 3 p.m., Saturday, June 23, 2018 at Titzer Family Funeral Homes, Simpson Chapel, 510 W. Jennings St. Newburgh, IN.  (812) 853-8314.  Full Military Rites will be conducted by the American Legion Kapperman Post #44 Honor Guard.

He will be laid to rest in Oak Hill Cemetery in Springfield Illinois alongside Leanna’s family nearby.  Memorial contributions can be made to The Alzheimer’s organization or to Historic Newburgh Inc.  Sympathy wishes may be made at www.titzerfuneralhomes.com.