With heavy hearts, we share the passing of Kenneth Charles "Kenny" Sills of Ames, IA.
These words are offered in his memory — small, but heartfelt.
Some days simply pass; others stay with us forever.
Kenneth Sills, age 78, was born January 17, 1948 in Ames, Iowa to Dwight and Darlene (Bell) Sills. He passed away at home on Saturday, April 25, 2026 with his loving wife and beloved dog Boomer by his side. Kenny was a victim of the toxic water at Camp LeJeune, causing cancers and pain which gradually weakened his body.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, May, May 3rd from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at Grandon Funeral Home. A private family graveside service will be held on Monday, May 4th.
Kenny was a proud southside boy going to Lincoln Elementary School, Central Junior High School and Ames High School, graduating with the class of 1966. He attended ISU for a year, then dropped out to enlist in the United States Marine Corps. Kenny served proudly from 1968-1971 traveling the world specializing in communications, he was honorably discharged and then once again attended ISU. After graduation from ISU Kenny worked several jobs until 1975 when he began his career at the Ames Post Office. He worked his way up from the bottom and retired in 2003 as the Supervisor of Carriers. After a few months of retirement he decided he was tired of Linda waking him up every morning by slamming the door as she left for work, so he began a job in maintenance at the Ames Public Library. He retired from the library in 2011 and became a snowbird, spending 6 months of the year in Melbourne, Florida. He was very dedicated in sharing the Florida weather reports with his Iowa friends while sitting on the beach, concentrating on days where subzero temperatures or snow storms were predicted in Iowa.
Kenny married his favorite Fareway checkout girl, Linda Hyer, at the Little Brown Church on June 11, 1978. In 1981 his son Joshua joined the family, fulfilling the one request of a blond hair, blue eyed little boy that he made to Linda when they married. Throughout the years many furry friends joined the family, each having a special place in his heart.
Kenny enjoyed everything about family and friends, spending as much time as possible making people laugh wherever he went. His sense of humor and little pranks were known by all. He joined Tae Kwon Do a few months after Joshua did in order to spend father/son quality time together. They eventually had their own club, and between their students and those they trained with they developed many deep and long lasting friendships. Kenny was proud that he earned the rank of 4th Degree Black Belt. Another passion Kenny had was rebuilding classic cars. Many weekends and week nights were spent either at car shows or in the garage working to make sure each car was just right, even though he never really finished a car as there was always one more thing to do to improve them. After retirement he began making walking sticks, each one made unique by the baby shoe he attached to the bottom, an idea he learned from a good friend. He generously gave those away to family, friends and strangers.
Kenny was always proud to be a husband, father, son, sibling, nephew, uncle, friend and a Marine. He is survived by his wife, Linda; mother Darlene Nelson; sister Lyla Schnackel, her husband John and son Chad; brother Dennis Sills, his wife Julia and daughter Abby; and most importantly Boomer, his constant and loyal companion. Survivors also include his stepsister Gwen Steinmeyer and her family; stepbrother Bruce Nelson and his family; and many aunts and cousins.
Kenny was preceded in death by his son Joshua, his father Dwight Sills, his stepfather Donald Nelson, and niece Shannon Schnackel Autler.
Semper Fi Marine
Grandon Funeral & Cremation Care is honored to serve the family of Kenneth Charles Sills.
