Kenneth J. Yurisich

Kenneth John Yurisich, 77, of Green Ridge, passed away Thursday, January 30, 2020, at Harry S. Truman Memorial Veteran's Hospital, Columbia.  He was born on March 8, 1942, in Battle Creek, Michigan, a son of Joseph G. and Annabelle (Finnigan) Yurisich. He grew up and went to grade school with his brother and three sisters in Jonesville, Michigan, and attended St. Philip Catholic Church.  The family moved to Battle Creek, where he attended Harper Creek High School and was part of the first graduating class of the school in 1960. On April 8, 1967, at St. Philip Catholic Church, he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Patricia Ann Milligan.  This union was blessed with the gift of five children:  Patrick, Valerie, Rebecca, Sheila, and Mary Elizabeth. For a couple of years, Ken worked at Kellogg's in Battle Creek before joining the United States Navy in 1969.  In 1978, he retired from active duty and began his civil service career.  He lived in California and worked for Western Zirconium and as a security guard for Plainfield Security in Utah before moving to Missouri, where he worked as a mechanic and missile site driver for Whiteman Air Force Base in Knob Noster.  In 1994, he and Patricia moved Florida, where he worked as a security guard at Indian River Plant, and in 2000, they returned to Missouri to enjoy retirement. Ken was a member of the Pettis County EMA for several years and was a life-member of the American Legion Post.  In order to take care of his family, he lived in multiple states and held various jobs.  He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, as well as his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  He also enjoyed his tv time, watching western movies, AMC, football and other sports, Hallmark movies, hunting, fishing, and going to the casinos.  He loved traveling before becoming ill. He is survived by his wife, Patricia A. Yurisich of the home; a son, Patrick M. Yurisich of Green Ridge, Missouri; three daughters, Valerie L. Yurisich and Randy of Colonial Heights, Virginia, Rebecca S. Davis and James of Cole Camp, Missouri, and Sheila A. Yeakey and Todd of Sand Lake, Michigan; three sisters, Sue Ausberger and Charles of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Janet Godde and Thomas of Augusta, Michigan, and Ellyn Mingus and Michael of Battle Creek, Michigan; a brother, James Yurisich of Battle Creek, Michigan; fourteen grandchildren, Joshua, Amanda, Eric, Brittany, Summer, Samantha, Sarina, Lucas, Nichols, Jarrod, Cory, Jaelene, Aubrie, and Kiley; twenty-one great-grandchildren, Jaxon, Lucas, Lily, Lena, Emily, Laela, Josiah, Zidane, Daxton, Kandice, Adrianne, Preston, Jaxson, Lincoln, Phoebe, Aiden, Damon, Arianna, Onyx, Hayden, and Abigail; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Anabelle Yurisich, and his daughter, Mary Elizabeth Yurisich in 1978. The Rosary will begin at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 4, 2020, at the Fox Funeral Home in Cole Camp, where the family will receive friends beginning at 5 p.m. The Rosary will begin at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 6, 2020, at Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services, 2838 Capital Ave, SW, Battle Creek, MI 49015, where the family will receive friends beginning at 5 p.m.  Burial will be at 11:00 a.m., Friday, February 7, 2020, in Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, Michigan, with military honors. Pallbearers will be Todd Yeakey, Eric Yurisich, Cory Yurisich, Kevin Wolcott, Andrew Kell, Mike Mingus, Andy Godde, and Matt Godde. Please visit https://www.kempffuneralhome.com to sign the online guest book, view the online obituary or leave condolences and messages for the family.