Kenneth "Ken" Vaughn Conger Jr.

Kenneth “Ken” Vaughn Conger Jr., age 80, of California, passed away peacefully after a long fight from a stroke and car accident on Saturday, August 19, 2017, at River City Living Center in Jefferson City.

Ken was born on April 7, 1937, in Peoria, Illinois a son of the late Kenneth Vaughn and Catharine (Cripe) Conger, Sr.

He was a 1955 graduate of Woodruff High School in Peoria, Illinois. 

On April 8, 1995, Ken was united in marriage to Patricia “Pat” (Adrian) Conger in Clarksburg.  She survives at their home. 

Ken attended St. Martin Catholic Church in St. Martins.  He retired from Hiram Walker Factory in Peoria.  After moving to Missouri, Ken worked for Moniteau Machine in Tipton, Zip Stop Tire Shop in Apache Flats, Ken’s Arrows and enjoyed working on CB radios.

Ken was an avid hunter, fisherman and enjoyed teaching the next generation how to hunt and fish.  He enjoyed music, especially playing and singing in a band since the age of 14 and played at many nursing homes and senior centers in the area. He was a “Jack of All Trades” and could fix anything.  He enjoyed his scratch off tickets.  His greatest enjoyment was spending time with his family and grandchildren. 

In addition to his wife of twenty-two years, Ken is also survived by eight children: Ken (Nit) Conger of Niceville, FL, Shelly (Cory) Stairwalt of California, Mary Dawn (Larry Lambert) of Lewistown, IL, Dan (Kristie) Kempker of Jefferson City, Maria (George) Moore of Tuscumbia, Elizabeth Kempker of Hannibal, Carmen (Lee) Burton of Tuscumbia, Joe Kempker (Richard Walker) of Kansas City; twelve grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; three brothers, Bill (Sharon) Conger of Peoria, IL, Jim Conger of Munford, TN, and Bob (Judy) Conger of Peoria, IL, along with several nieces, nephews and friends.   

In addition to his parents, Ken was preceded in death by a sister and her husband, Edythe (Bill) Hargadine and a sister-in-law, Lois Conger.   

Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 24, 2017, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at St. Martin Catholic Church in St. Martins with a Memorial Service to follow at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Louis Nelen and Bro. Ken Martin officiating. 

Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Family of Kenneth “Ken” Conger, Jr.