Obituary: Kenneth B. Treat

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Kenneth B. Treat, 78, a resident of rural Ozark, passed away at 7:53 p.m. Monday, Dec. 12, 2011, at his home surrounded by his loving family.

Kenneth was born Jan. 31, 1933, in Johnson County. He was the son of Clarence Treat and Blanche (Breeden) Treat.

Kenneth was united in marriage to Mary Belle Reynolds on Feb. 18, 1954, in Saline County. She survives.

In addition to his wife, Kenneth is survived by a daughter, Sheila Dowdy and her husband Kevin of Harrisburg; a son, Barry Treat and his wife Pam of Ozark; four grandchildren, Kaci and Kollin Dowdy and Emme and Owen Treat; two sisters, Mary Williams and Joann Cluster, both of Marion; three brothers, Ed Treat and his wife Sue of Marion, Harry Lee Treat of New Burnside and Don Treat and his wife Brenda of Ozark; and nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Kenneth was preceded in death by two sisters, Kathern Rose Douglas and Judy Treat; and two brothers, Jim Treat and Bill Treat.

Kenneth was a U.S. Army veteran. He served from 1953 to 1955 and was stationed at Ft. Hood, Texas.

Kenneth was employed as a heavy equipment operator. He was a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local No. 318 and had worked at the Will Scarlet Coal Mine. Kenneth retired in 1998.

Kenneth loved horseback riding and was a member of the Pope County Saddle Club and the Heartland Mule Club. He was an avid St. Louis Cardinal baseball fan and Harrisburg Bulldog baseball fan. In years past, Kenneth and Mary Belle had enjoyed square dancing.

Kenneth was a man of high moral character. He was hard working and well respected. Even though Kenneth was a private man in many ways, he never missed an opportunity to help a neighbor in any way that he could. Kenneth was a good family man and loved his wife, his children, and his grandchildren. He cherished the time he spent with them.

In recent years, Kenneth came to the Lord and accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior. He was a devoted and faithful Christian. Kenneth demonstrated his dedication to the Lord in many ways and attended the First Pentecostal Church in Ozark, where he loved to feel the touch of the Holy Spirit.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 16, 2011, at the First Pentecostal Church in Ozark. Bro. Jeff Treat will officiate.

Burial will be in the Wise-Robinson Cemetery near Ozark. Military graveside rites will be accorded by the Beggs-Gurley VFW Post No. 5222 of Vienna and the Illinois National Guard Burial Honors Detail.

Visitation will be after 4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15, 2011, at Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna and from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday at the church.

Memorials may be made to the First Pentecostal Church, c/o Hazel Harris, 750 Ozark Road, Ozark, Ill. 62972 or to the Alzheimer's Association, Greater Illinois Chapter, 402 E. Plaza Drive, Suite 4, Carterville, Ill. 62918.

To share a memory of Kenneth or to leave an online message of condolence for the family, please visit the Internet site www.baileyfh.com