Arrangements made by
Starks Family Funeral Homes & Cremation Services - Yazel & Clark Chapel
405 Center Street
Dowagiac,
MI
49047
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Tel. (269) 782-2135
Memories & Candles
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“Pat, Jane, Bob, and family.
We are so sorry for the loss of Kenny. He was a wonderful person.
Being family, it makes it very hard for us to have...
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”
1 of 16 | Posted by: Dale & Sue Newton - Family
“Pat, Janie and Family...My thoughts and prayers are with you. Ken will always be remembered for his kindness and big smile.
”
2 of 16 | Posted by: Jill (Personette) Shaer
“My prayers goes out to the Jessup family. Ken was my supervisor when I worked in the Replacement parts at Ameriwood. He always had a kind word to...
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”
3 of 16 | Posted by: Dreamalea Davis
“Pat my heart goes out to you, I know you have know idea how much your words of comfort meant to me and helped me push on last year when I lost my...
Read More »
”
4 of 16 | Posted by: Julie Fryman Dowagiac MI
“To Ken's Family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time in your lives. I worked at SMC with Ken. He was such a sweet man. Always...
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”
5 of 16 | Posted by: Cathy Feirick Dowagiac
“I met Ken when I was a work study at the MTEC @ SMC on the Niles campus. Ken was always smiling when I saw him. He spoke of his grandchildren...
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”
6 of 16 | Posted by: Christine Smith Niles, MI
“I worked with Ken at SMC. He was always smiling and willing to help with anything we needed. I will definitely miss him stopping in to say hello...
Read More »
”
7 of 16 | Posted by: Cathy McNeil
“I was assigned security at the SMC-Niles campus while working at the sheriff's department. I will always remember Ken's kindnes and compassion...
Read More »
”
8 of 16 | Posted by: Sue Myer
“I enjoyed coffee and conversation with Ken almost every morning at SMC. Ken was a shining example of a good man. The kind of person that people...
Read More »
”
9 of 16 | Posted by: Cindy Soltys Buchanan MI
“I work at SMC ... and it seems like I saw Ken on each walk back from the Fitness Center after lunch. He was always cheerful, always a big smile on...
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”
10 of 16 | Posted by: Angie Carrico Edwardsburg MI
“i knew kenny from calling on Ameriwood Firniture as a salesman from South Bend Supply Co. He was always laid-back, friendly. He was just one of...
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”
11 of 16 | Posted by: Lew Kimble South Bend IN
“Sending condolences, Aunt Pat. We will see you soon. Love to you and Jane.
”
12 of 16 | Posted by: Becky Hill
“Pat, Jane and Family,
Our thoughts are with you at this time, you have been life time friends and we are so sorry , know that our prayers are...
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13 of 16 | Posted by: Sandra and Bernie Jurgenson
“I am an instructor in the School of Business at SMC and knew Ken as a warm, friendly, kind gentlemen who remembered everyone's name. It was a...
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”
14 of 16 | Posted by: Joanne Strebeck Dowagiac MI
“I am so sad to hear of Ken's passing. But when I think of him, all I see is that smile. it lit up the room when he smiled. I had the pleaseure of...
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”
15 of 16 | Posted by: Louann Luft Przytakoski MI
“Even though I didn't see him very often, Ken always had a hug for me. He was so kind and the love just oozed from him. He will always have a...
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”
16 of 16 | Posted by: Barb Daniels Niles, MI
Ken’s life began on February 14, 1937 in Dowagiac, the son of Kenneth and Marie (Thursby) Jessup. He was a 1957 graduate of Dowagiac Central High School. Ken was united in marriage to the former Patricia Carter on May 8, 1959 at the First Christian Church in Dowagiac. He served his country in the Michigan National Guard 246th Tank Battalion in Dowagiac for eight years. Ken worked for Ameriwood Products, retiring as a supervisor in 1999. He was currently working for Southwest Michigan College in both Dowagiac and Niles in the maintenance department. Ken was a member of the Dowagiac Moose Lodge. He enjoyed taking care of his home and feeding the birds. His loving family includes his wife of 50 years Patricia Jessup of Dowagiac, daughter Jane (Robert) Frontczak of Dowagiac, grandchildren Ryan (Emily) Frontczak of Dowagiac, Ashley (Chris) Eaton of California, and Allison Frontczak of Dowagiac, great grandson Mason Frontczak of Dowagiac, sisters Sharon (Stewart) Hill of Elkhart, and Arlene Wright of Cassopolis and many friends. Ken passed away suddenly on Wednesday November 18, 2009 at Lakeland Medical Center in St. Joseph. He is preceded in death by his parents and a brother Gene Jessup. His family will receive friends on Sunday from 2-6 p.m. at Yazel-Clark Chapel where his funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday led by Pastor James Tippen. Ken will be laid to rest in Mission Hills Cemetery, Niles. Memorial contributions in his name may be directed to the family in care of Patricia. Please sign his guestbook and leave a memory of Ken at www.yazel-clark.com.
Only the main photo has been provided by the family or the funeral home.
Pat, Jane, Bob, and family.
We are so sorry for the loss of Kenny. He was a wonderful person.
Being family, it makes it very hard for us to have him gone also. We've had so many good time together throughout the years, with family dinners, etc. We will miss him very much also.
Everyones memories of the wonderful times together with Ken, will be etched forver in our hearts and minds. Anyone that ever knew Ken, is surely missing him also.
God has taken a wonderful man, and we know God has great plans for him in Heaven.
God Bless All Of You.
We love you all very much,
Dale & Sue Newton
Posted by: Dale & Sue Newton - Family Dec 17, 2009
Pat, Janie and Family...My thoughts and prayers are with you. Ken will always be remembered for his kindness and big smile.
Posted by: Jill (Personette) Shaer Nov 21, 2009
My prayers goes out to the Jessup family. Ken was my supervisor when I worked in the Replacement parts at Ameriwood. He always had a kind word to say to everyone. A few years later I started working for a security company and was assigned back at Ameriwood. Things and jobs had changed but not Ken, still smiling and a kind word to say. Years later I started taking classes out at SMC and one night after class I was walking to my car when a campus truck pulled up and there was Ken with a big smile and gave me a ride to my car. When ever you see him in the building he would always take time out to talk with you and give you encouragement on your achivements. Ken was a true friend and a kind soul he will be missed dearly.
Posted by: Dreamalea Davis Nov 20, 2009
Pat my heart goes out to you, I know you have know idea how much your words of comfort meant to me and helped me push on last year when I lost my family members. I wish I were there to give you a big hug of support. I know how dearly missed Ken will be to you and everyone who loved him.
Posted by: Julie Fryman Dowagiac, MI Nov 20, 2009
To Ken's Family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time in your lives. I worked at SMC with Ken. He was such a sweet man. Always willing to help us with anything we needed. Always smiling and saying "Hi Young Lady" as he passed by. Now, that would make my day! I will miss that.
To Ken's Grandchildren, He was so proud of all of you! He would always tell us about your accomplishments. He was a proud Grandpa!! Always remember that and hold it in your hearts.
Ken will be greatly missed!
Praying for all of you,
Cathy Feirick
Posted by: Cathy Feirick Dowagiac Nov 20, 2009
I met Ken when I was a work study at the MTEC @ SMC on the Niles campus. Ken was always smiling when I saw him. He spoke of his grandchildren often and with great pride.
I cried a little when I found out he was leaving us for his position on the Dowagiac campus because he was always looking out for us there and I knew how much we'd miss his presence. I was also very happy that he was able to get the hours he always wanted and work so close to home as well. I was lucky enough to get the chance to see him on a regular basis when I moved to the Dowagiac campus as well.
I feel honored to have met Ken and lucky to be one of his friends. I will miss seeing his face and him checking in on my family and me. We've lost a great person; now he is looking over us from above. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife and family.
Posted by: Christine Smith Niles, MI Nov 20, 2009
I worked with Ken at SMC. He was always smiling and willing to help with anything we needed. I will definitely miss him stopping in to say hello and checking to see if we needed anything! My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Posted by: Cathy McNeil Nov 20, 2009
I was assigned security at the SMC-Niles campus while working at the sheriff's department. I will always remember Ken's kindnes and compassion towards others. He always had a hot cup of coffee waiting for me when I came on duty and his smile was contagious! His love of his family was evident in our many conversations when his grandaughter was attending SMC and living in the trailer park or when he was working on a remodeling job at his house. He was definitely a "people person" and always willing to pitch-in wherever he was needed, even if it wasn't in his job descriptionl. I was proud to be his friend and will miss him greatly. My thoughts and prayers go out to hs family.
Posted by: Sue Myer Nov 20, 2009
I enjoyed coffee and conversation with Ken almost every morning at SMC. Ken was a shining example of a good man. The kind of person that people wanted to be like, know and be around. Kind, generous, caring - a good friend. His family must be so proud of him. We miss you Ken, I'll miss seeing your smiling face and great conversations about your lovely wife and family.
I miss you friend.
Posted by: Cindy Soltys Buchanan, MI Nov 20, 2009
I work at SMC ... and it seems like I saw Ken on each walk back from the Fitness Center after lunch. He was always cheerful, always a big smile on his face. I will miss him. I will think of him fondly when I see a golf cart now. My prayers are with his family - I am sure this is a great loss. Peace be with you, Ken.
Posted by: Angie Carrico Edwardsburg, MI Nov 20, 2009
Visitation:
November 22 2009
2:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Yazel-Clark Chape
405 Center Street
Dowagiac, MI 49047
Funeral Service:
November 23 2009
11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Yazel-Clark Chapel
405 Center Street
Dowagiac, MI 49047


