Kenneth Joseph DeChant, 92, of Huron, passed away Sunday, June 24, 2012, at home surrounded by his loving family under the care of Stein Hospice. He was born to Hubert and Rose DeChant in Sheffield on May 24, 1920, the eldest of six children.
He spent his early years helping on the family vegetable farm. Ken met Marcella Weber at a dance in 1940, and they had their first date at Cedar Point. He married Marcella in December 28, 1944 and moved with his family to Huron in 1949. In the early years, he raised livestock. He eventually dedicated his time and efforts to farming and marketing vegetables, with the help of his wife and children, until he retired in 2009. Ken also worked during several winters as a welder for the Lorain Ship Yard.
He has been a parishioner of St. Peter’s Catholic Church since 1949, where he was an usher as well as a member of Knights of Columbus. As a farmer, he was a member of Ohio Vegetable Growers Association and president of D & J Produce Inc. He loved woodworking, and at the age of 76 he began making pendulum wall clocks for each of his children.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Jeanne; an infant daughter, Marita Jeanne; and a son-in-law, David Hayes.
He is survived by his wife Marcella Weber DeChant to whom he was married 67 years; his 11 children and their spouses: Dianne and David Wallace of Boulder City, Nevada; Joanne and Ed Clark of Monroeville; Barbara and Don Wachowiak of Toledo; Victoria Hayes of Huron; Ken and Deb DeChant of Milan; Michael and Mary Jo DeChant of Huron; Peggy and Tom Maidlow of Bowling Green; Lisa and David Dahmen of Sandusky; Mary Alice Tracht of Sandusky; Marcia and Bill Mees of Caseyville, Illinois; Andrea Mesenburg of Huron; 27 grandchildren; 30 great grandchildren; sisters, Ruth Wensink of Monroeville; Sister Jeanmarie DeChant, SND., of Amherst; brother, Herbert DeChant of Oberlin; and sister Rosemarie DeChant of Oberlin.
Friends may call Wednesday, June 27, 2012, from 3 to 7 P.M. at St. Peter Catholic Church Gathering Space, 430 Main Street, Huron. A funeral Mass will be held Thursday, June 28 at 10:30 A.M. with Rev. Jeffery Sikorski officiating. Burial will be in Scott Cemetery, Huron.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. Peter Catholic Church, Huron, OH or the Stein Hospice of Sandusky.
Foster Funeral Home & Crematory, Huron, is handling the arrangements. Online condolences may be shared at www.fosterfh.com
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