Kenneth Edward Bailey, 98

Born: March 23, 1915

Died: July 10, 2013

Kenneth Edward Bailey, 98, a lifetime resident of Dowagiac, passed away on July 10, 2013, at Cass County Medical Care Facility, Cassopolis.

He was born March 23, 1915 in Dowagiac, to William Bailey and Myrtle (Coble) Bailey.

Ken graduated from Dowagiac High School in 1934, where as “Ace” Bailey he earned varsity letters in basketball, golf and tennis.

After graduationm Ken attended Panton’s Beauty College in Kalamazoo, later opening Parchment Beauty Ship in Parchment prior to World War II.

From January 1942 to October 1945, he served in the U.S. Navy, eventually serving his country on the USS Kadashan Bay aircraft carrier.

After the war, Ken worked as both a clerk and rural postal carrier (Route 2) at the Post Office in Dowagiac.

On Feb. 1, 1946, he married the love of his life, the former Donna Rose Kent; she survives.

Surviving with his wife of 67 years are: a daughter, Patti Ann Bailey of Fort Wayne, Ind.; and a son, Gary Edward Bailey of Dowagiac.

Also surviving is a niece, Shirley (Silverthorn) Bailey of Lehigh Acres, Fla.

Ken was preceded in death by: a brother, Francis Arnold Bailey; infant sister, Doris; a stillborn sister; and a niece, Kaye (Hawkinson) Bailey.

Throughout his lifetime, Ken enjoyed golf, bowling, camping, dancing, carpentry, card playing, taking evening walks, traveling the United States and watching his favorite sports teams, the Wolverines , the Cubs and the Colts.

He was also quite the handyman on both the home front and the Elks, where he volunteered for many years. He enjoyed life and was thankful for his many days.

In his final days he enjoyed time with his daughter, watching the miracles of Mother Nature from the sunshine of her deck.

He will be remembered as a good husband, father, and friend.

In keeping with Ken’s wishers, there will be no memorial service. Cremation was entrusted to Cremation Services of Southwest Michigan. Inurnment will be at Riverside Cemetery, Dowagiac.

Ken can now join at the Pearly Gates his lifetime friends: Phil and Vesta Langley,

Gus and Alene Tyler, Mike Bender, Earl Keeler, Clarence Carey, Dave Fleiner and Lee and Gladys Zelner.

Donations in memory of Kenneth’s extraordinary life may be made to Dowagiac Elks

Lodge 889 (where he was 1981-1982 Elk of the Year) or the Cass County Medical Care Facility, 23770 Hospital St., Cassopolis, MI, 49047.

Arrangements were entrusted to Yazel-Clark Chapel, 405 Center St., Dowagiac. Please sign his guestbook at and leave a memory of Ken at www.yazel-clark.com.