Kenneth Gerard Thelen, Sr., 91

Kenneth Gerard Thelen, Sr., 91, of Hendersonville passed away Friday, Feb. 21, 2014 at Elizabeth House following a period of declining health.

A native of Detroit, Mich., he retired to Hendersonville in 1984. He was a son of the late Andrew and Margaret Thelen, and the husband of the late Mary Kipper Thelen, who died in 1986. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Andrew Vincent Thelan.

He graduated from the University of Detroit in 1952 with a Master's Degree in Business Administration and retired from Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, Mich., in 1983 following 38 years of service. He was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, and the Knights of Columbus. An Army veteran of WWII, he was also a member of the Hendersonville Country Club.

Survivors include his wife of 25 years, Velma Huggins Thelen of Hendersonville; two sons, Kenneth G. Thelen, Jr. and his wife Nancy of Northville, Mich., Brian G. Thelen and his wife Janis of Sterling Heights, Mich.; a daughter, Andrea T. Neumeyer and her husband Aaron of Hendersonville; a sister, Geraldine Gilmour of Hendersonville; seven grandchildren, Amy, Rory, Adrianne, Kyle, Patrick, Erin, and Amanda; two great-granddaughters, Evangeline and Aurelia; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Kenneth was a devout Catholic, loving husband, father, and grandfather. The family would like to give special thanks to Dr. James Caserio and to the staff of The Bridge at Lake Pointe Landing for their many years of care and kindness.

A Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2014, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Father Robert Williams will be the celebrant. Interment will follow at Shepherd Memorial Park. A rosary service will be said at 5 p.m. Monday in the chapel of Forest Lawn Funeral Home, followed by a visitation until 8:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Pardee Hospital Foundation, 800 N. Justice Street, Hendersonville, NC 28791, or Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 208 7th Avenue West, Hendersonville, NC 28791.

An online guest book is available at www.forestlawnhendersonville.com.

Forest Lawn Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.