Obituary

Kenneth volkers, 74, of charleston, transitioned from this earth to his heavenly home on thursday, september 22, 2016. Ken was born january 26, 1942, to the late herman and harriette volkers of zeeland, mich. He was also preceded in death by his brother, ronald (sandy) volkers of muskegon, mich.
After graduating from holland christian high school in 1960, ken continued his education in pre-engineering at calvin college in grand rapids, mich., going on to earn a master’s in chemical engineering from university of michigan in 1966. He worked for union carbide, rhone poulenc, and bayer industries in the kanawha valley. While attending university of michigan, he was a phi alpha kappa fraternity member, living in the “dutch house.”

ken spent his life journey as an active member of the church. He grew up in the christian reform church, later serving his adult life as an elder in the first presbyterian church of charleston. He traveled to nicaragua as a missionary with living waters for the world.
Ken was involved in habitat of humanity, the hanging chad’s retired engineering group, aarp tax preparation group and carbide investment club. He extended his leadership skills to the youth in his community by being actively involved in cub scouts, indian guides, teaching sunday school for the elementary division, umpiring little league games and coaching girls’ softball. Ken was an avid runner and enjoyed his adult bowling, tennis and softball leagues.
Ken is survived by his wife, betti bland volkers of charleston; son, kenneth chadwick (linda crowley) volkers of knoxville, tenn.; daughter, charla volkers (wes) cox of asheville, n.C.; and grandchildren, siobian jones, gary pitts; and nine month old, caleah pearl cox; also surviving is brother, robert (sue) volkers of holland, mich.; two sisters, janice (gerald) hoekema of bryon center, mich. And marilyn (steve) gilman of zeeland, mich.; nephews, shannon bland of charleston, matthew (celeste) hoekema of bryon center, mich.; and nieces, robin bland of charleston, heather bland (david) parks of south charleston, amy (bryan) walls of adam, mich. And lisa (ken) crenshaw of cusseda, ala.

A celebration of ken’s life will be held at 11:30 a.M., monday, september 26, at the first presbyterian church, leon sullivan way, charleston, wv, with dr. William mccoy and rev. Doug jenkins officiating. Friends and family may visit at the church starting at 10 a.M. Interment will be held at cunningham memorial park, st. Albans, wv following a luncheon at the church dining room, which all in attendance are invited.

In lieu of flowers, the family request you honor ken by making a donation to habitat of humanity kanawha-putman chapter, 815 court street, charleston, wv 25301. You may send condolences to the family at: www.Barlowbonsall.Com.Barlow bonsall funeral home has been entrusted to handle the arrangements for the volkers family.