Kenneth D. Powell, age 82, resident of 21504 Meadville Street, Venango, Pa., since 1966, and formerly of Cambridge Springs, died Wednesday, February 24, 2010, at the Transitional Care Unit of Meadville Medical Center after a two months illness. Born in Woodcock Township, Crawford County on October 10, 1927, he was a son of the late Clarence Powell and Cora Ferguson Powell. On January 9, 1954, he married the former Viola L. "Snookie" Newell and she remains to mourn his loss. Following graduation from Cambridge Springs High School in 1947, Ken worked for several years at General Electric in Erie and at Carnation Milk Company in Cambridge Springs. At the out break of the Korean War in 1950 he was inducted into the U.S. Army and served there with the 526th AAA Gun Battalion until the time of his discharge in 1952. Following military service his work history included Walsh Auto Transport of Cleveland for five years and at Hoyt & Shorts Red & White Grocery in Cambridge Springs from 1958 until 1967. In 1966 he moved from Cambridge Springs to Venango and in 1968 he began employment with Edinboro University from which he retired in 1990. While there he received education and training as an electrician. Ken also worked part time for several years with sales at Powell Auto Supply of Edinboro. Ken attended the Christian Missionary and Alliance Church, in Cambridge Springs. He was a member of American Legion Post # 381 in Cambridge Springs, Meadville Elks #219 where he was a life member, the NRA, and was a social member of Venango Volunteer Fire Department. During his retirement years he enjoyed working as a part time grounds keeper at Venango Valley Golf Course, hunting and fishing, camping with his grandchildren, and cutting fire wood for his many friends. He was well known for his enthusiastic interest in sports, particularly the teams of Cambridge Springs High School where he attended many games. Ken demonstrated a strong work ethic all of his life. He was dependable and a friend and mentor to all. He was kind, especially to children and had a unique sense of humor. He regularly visited the sick, was passionate about his heritage, was thrifty, but generous, and was able to repair almost anything. Known as an honorable man, Ken made others feel like they were the most important in the world. Preceding Ken in death, in addition to his parents, was his stepfather, Earl Cook; his brother, Harold Powell; and his sister, Laura Jump. Surviving Ken in addition to his wife of 56 years, Viola "Snookie", is a daughter, Yvonne Thayer and her husband, Robert, of Venango; two sons, Kenneth Powell II and his wife, Denise, of Cambridge Springs; and Robert Powell and his wife, Joyce, of Cody, Wyo; a sister, Dorothy Jones, of Littleton, Colo.; and a brother, Ronald Powell and his wife, Helen, of Edinboro. Included are eight grandchildren, Joel Thayer and his wife, Erin, of Port Charlotte, Fla., Philip Thayer and his wife, Honesty, of Cambridge Springs, Caleb Thayer, of Venango, Kimberly Thayer, of Edinboro, Carrie Dinsmore and her husband, Greg, of Meadville, Lynnette Powell, of Cochranton, Amber Powell, of Cambridge Springs, and Diana Blood and her husband, Doug, of Norrisville. Also nine great-grandchildren, Tyler Heubach, Rebecca, Molly, and Allison Thayer, Gracie and Ryan Thayer, Sadie and Simon Thayer, and Brennen Densmore; and several nieces and nephews. Friends may call at the Van Matre Family Funeral Home, in Cambridge Springs on Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. and on Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral services will be held at the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church, 233 Church Street, Cambridge Springs, on Saturday morning at 11:00. Reverend Clifford Cartwright, pastor of the Church and Reverend Jeff Wilson, pastor of Christ Evangelical Free Church, Saegertown will officiate. Interment will be in Cambridge Cemetery with full military honors. Memorial gifts may be made to the Transitional Care Unit, Meadville Medical Center, 751 Liberty Street, Meadville, PA 16335, or the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church of Cambridge Springs.