Kenneth E. Gatton Sr., 89 of Taylorville passed away on Thursday, September 5, 2019 at 7:05 p.m. at Taylorville Care Center in Taylorville, IL. He was born on August 14, 1930 in Taylorville, IL the son of Charles and Flossie (Lancaster) Gatton. He married Dorothy Pauline Rohdemann on July 14, 1956 in Taylorville, IL and she preceded him in death on April 26, 2015. Kenneth retired from Caterpillar in Decatur where he worked as a welder inspector. He served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. His family considered him a jack of all trades. He was good at woodworking, fixing cars, building vehicles, gardening, he loved to play guitar, sing, and take his wife Dorothy Dancing. When he wasn’t tinkering in his garage, he enjoyed playing bebop with his great-granddaughter Isabella or throwing a beer back at the T-Bird. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Taylorville and VFW Post 6408 in Havana, IL.
He is survived by his Sons: Kenneth (Debbie) Gatton Jr. of Taylorville, IL; Brian (Karrie) Gatton of Taylorville, IL and LeRoy Gatton of Minnesota; Daughter: Tammy (David) Howell of Taylorville, IL; grandchildren: Kristy Miller, Brandon (Marie) Gatton, Justin (Jeff Oller) Gatton, Tracy Edwardsen, Katherine Bravo-Gatton, Kory Gatton, Ryan (Brooke) Gatton, Joshua (Aundrea) Gatton, Colton Gatton, Avril Gatton, Kayla (Harley McQuinn) Howell, Karlee Howell and Davey Howell; Several great-grandchildren; Sister: Norma (John) Bandy of Blue Eye, MO; Several Nieces and Nephews; his Special friend/caregiver: Mary Sylvester and his thunderbird lounge family.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, September 8, 2019 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at Sutton Memorial Home in Taylorville. Funeral service will be held on Monday, September 9, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. at Sutton Memorial Home in Taylorville with Pastor Rodney Blomquist officiating. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery in Taylorville with military graveside honors provided by VFW Post #4495, American Legion Post # 73, AMVETS Post # 29 and the Illinois National Guard Funeral and Honors Detail. 
Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter 2309 W. White Oaks Drive Suite E. Springfield, IL 62704 or the No Veteran Will Die Alone Veteran Pinning Program C/O: Quad County Hospice 8 Huber St. Pana, IL 62557. 
Sutton Memorial Home in Taylorville is assisting the family with arrangements. 
Please sign our on-line guest book at www.suttonmemorialhome.com.