Obituaries

Born to George F. and Kathleen G. Brunkalla December 18th, 1953 shortly after they moved to Medinah, Illinois from Chicago. Ken was the 3rd child, preceded by an older sister and brother, followed by three more brothers and two more sisters.

Ken was a very active child and had many interests at an early age including model cars and rockets, airplanes, fishing, building forts, bicycles and more. It was apparent early on that he had a drive and talent for making things with his hands. He was meticulous and detail oriented, even as a child.

In 1966 the family moved to a larger house in Roselle, Illinois. After completing junior high in Roselle, Ken attended Lake Park High School in Medinah and graduated having been involved in extra-curricular activities including Math Club, Science Club and Chess Club. While in High School, Ken worked part time for his father’s machine shop, gaining a working knowledge of machine building and all of the processes involved.

After graduation, he moved to Pasadena, California and took a job with a small aerospace company hand-making prototypes and small production runs of critical system components for commercial and military aircraft. He moved back to Illinois in the late 70s and continued working primarily in the machine trades, becoming an expert CNC operator and programmer, making anything from 100 ton precision die sets to microscopic components for surgical instruments. Aside from his regular employment, Ken had become a skilled craftsman in woodworking, metal and the art of stained glass. In addition to making things for personal gratification, he took numerous commissions for custom articles of his making. For a number of years he became the local bicycle repair shop, as well as collecting, trading and selling vintage bike parts.

Ken was a good story teller with a great sense of humor. He had many “adventures” to share, some of which included siblings. The last adventure he talked about was inviting a dear friend to join him on a flight of a restored WW2 B-25 Mitchell bomber.

Music was integral to Ken’s being, particularly 70s classic rock. More often than not, his activities were accompanied by music.

Ken will be remembered locally by friends and neighbors who attended his annual backyard “party” which included food and live music. Donations went to a local veteran’s organization.

He was a good friend and neighbor to those who got to know him. His kind soul was especially evident when he provided comfort to his youngest sister after our dad passed.

Ken was twice married and divorced, having had two children with his first wife. He was single at the time of his passing.

Ken is preceded in death by his parents, George b. 1-13-1923, d. 5-10-2021 and Kathleen b. 9-4-1931, d. 6-9-1999

Surviving are: Daughter Bonnie Johnson, Pekin, IL, Son Samuel Barnett-Brunkalla, Peoria, IL;

Four brothers: Martin, Leonard, Gordon and William

Three sisters: Susan, Joan and Rebecca

Eight grandchildren: Domenico, Wesley, Adelina, Eleanora , also Alexandra (15), Jaxon (14), Troy (10), and Brooks (10 mo. ).

Ken’s beloved canine companion, Rosie

A celebration of Ken’s life will take place at Island Park in Geneva Illinois some time in the spring of 2025. It will include the dedication of a memorial bench, custom made to remember Ken in perpetuity. Please contact Patrick Fitzmaurice at pfitz9110@gmail.com for more information after 03/01/2025.

The family wishes to extend our sincere gratitude to Ken’s neighbors and friends who were there for him (and us). He will be dearly missed.

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