Kenneth B. Van Luven

Boonville - Kenneth B. Van Luven, 85, of Main Street passed away on September 4, 2009 at the Sunset Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Mr. Van Luven was born August 13, 1924, a son of Kenneth and Mary (Peters) Van Luven. He attended Syracuse schools and following graduation from high school joined the U.S. Navy. Kenneth served in the Atlantic Theater and Africa during WWII, and after returning home from the war he attended CCBI in Syracuse and graduated with a degree in Accounting. On September 27, 1979 he was united in marriage with Sara Lou Hines at the Boonville Baptist Church, where the Reverend Michael Moshkowski officiated. Kenneth was the owner/operator of Williams Express Trucking Co. of Boonville from 1947-1986. Kenneth enjoyed serving his community in several capacities. He was currently serving as Town Councilman, a position he had held for several terms. He was a life member of the Charles J. Love Post #406 American Legion and the Harland J. Hennessey Post #5538 VFW, both of Boonville, a charter member of the Boonville Elks Lodge #2158, an honorary member of the Boonville Fire Company, and a former trustee of the Boonville Cemetery. Kenneth enjoyed baseball and was instrumental in founding the Boonville Little League program where he coached for more than 30 years. He was also active in the Boonville Youth Athletic Association, and enjoyed hunting and bowling. In addition to his wife, Sara Lou, he is survived by a two sons and daughter-in-law, Roger and Judy of MI and Kim of FL; three daughters and sons-in-law, Patricia and Tim Griffin, Pamela and Fred Ricci, and Tracy and Neil Austin, all of Boonville; two stepsons and their wives, Craig and Bambi Freeman and Steven and Michelle Freeman, all of Boonville; nine grandchildren; six step-grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by a son, Kevin, in 1976. Ken is also survived by his canine buddy, Max. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday at the Trainor Funeral Home, Inc., 143 Schuyler Street, where the Reverend William A. Mudge will officiate. Interment will follow in the Boonville Cemetery, where members of Charles J. Love Post American Legion, Harland J. Hennessey Post VFW and the Tun Tavern Marine Corps League Detachment will conduct military rites. Calling hours will be held 1-4 and 6-9 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home. The family would welcome memorial contributions to the Boonville Fire Co. Ambulance Fund, P.O. Box 164, Boonville, NY 13309 or the Sunset Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Residents Activities Fund, 232 Academy Street, Boonville, NY 13309. Kenneth's family offers their sincere thanks and appreciation to Drs. Stephen Culver and William Ryan, Visiting Nurses staff, the third floor nursing staff at Faxton-St. Luke's Healthcare Allen Calder wing in New Hartford and the administration and staff at Sunset Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center in Boonville.