John M. Kenison

John M. Kenison, age 80, of Hannibal, MO, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at 1:02 pm Monday, April 10, 2023, at Hannibal Regional Hospital.  

Funeral services will be held 10:30 am Friday, April 14, 2023, at the Smith Funeral Home & Chapel.  Burial will follow in the Grand View Burial Park

Visitation celebrating John's life will be held 6:00 to 8:00 pm Thursday, April 13, 2023, at the Smith Funeral Home & Chapel.

John was born on June 18, 1942, in Holliday, MO the son of Raymond and Emma (Holder) Kenison.

He was united in marriage to Judy Eileen Davidson on December 27, 1975, in Kirkwood, MO. She preceded him in death on September 30, 2021.

Survivors include his three sons, Greg Kenison (Dana) of Monroe City, MO, Ben Kenison of St. Louis, MO and Matt Kenison of St. Louis, MO; two daughters, Jeanne Youngwirth (Nathan) of Hannibal, MO and JoAnne Jones (Andy) of Blue Springs, MO; two sisters, Susie Mayberry of Overland Park, KS and Joyce Loos of Quincy, IL.

Also surviving are eight grandchildren, Ashley Shuck (Chris), Kasey Kenison, Kyle Kenison (Paige), Heather Kenison, Chase Youngwirth, Jackson Jones, Kolby Jones and Jacob Youngwirth, twelve great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents and wife, John was preceded in death by two brothers, Jim Kenison and Raymond "Bob" Kenison and two sisters, Gwen Feaster and Beth White.

John graduated from Hannibal High School in the class of 1960 and went on to attend Hannibal LaGrange College. John began his career as a Draftsman for the Missouri Highway Department for twenty years.  He was credited for heading up the beautification laws in St. Louis.

After John and Judy moved to Hannibal, together they bought and started Kenison Advertising and later Sawyer's Creek.  John took pride in his work as an entrepreneur in real estate, restaurants and loved playing the stock market. He also was ready for any business ventures and was big in community growth.

John and Judy had a great time socializing and wintering in Florida.  Some of the most memorable times were being on the family farm for the 4th of July and time spent with family, especially his grandchildren.

John was a member of Hannibal Rotary Club, Lion's Club, was a board member at MACC  and was President of the Outdoor Advertising Association.

John was a member of  Fifth Street Baptist Church.

Pallbearers will be Nathan Youngwirth, Kyle Kenison, Andy Jones, Chris Shuck, Bobby Kenison, Chase Youngwirth, Jacob Youngwirth, Jackson Jones and Kolby Jones.

Memorial contributions may be made to the James E. Cary Cancer Center, in care of Smith Funeral Home & Chapel.

Online condolences may be made to the family and video tribute viewed on John's memorial page at www.smithfuneralhomeandchapel.com

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