ELKHART -- Kenneth Louis Timpe, 79, of Elkhart, died at 10 a.m. Sunday (June 15, 2008) at home.

He was born July 22, 1928, in Elkhart, to Dorsey and Almeda (Kuehm) Timpe. On July 9, 1950, he married Donna J. Martin in Elkhart.

She survives along with two sons, Michael (Rebecca) Timpe of Vicksburg, Mich., and Mark Timpe of Syracuse; two grandsons; four great-grandchildren; a sister, Adeline Ott of Elkhart; and a half-brother, Jack Kunkel of Elkhart.

He was preceded in death by a son, Douglas Timpe; and a half-brother, Ray Scheaf.

Mr. Timpe was a 1946 graduate of Elkhart High School and a lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Elkhart. He served in the U.S. Army Air Force from 1946 until he was honorably discharged in 1949.

He retired from Bendix Corp., South Bend, after 31 years of service. Mr. Timpe was a Red Coat at Elkhart General Hospital for 19 years.

Friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart. Friends may also call one hour prior to the 11 a.m. Thursday funeral service at Trinity Lutheran Church, 400 West Blvd., Elkhart. Pastors Robert Schallhorn and Spencer Mielke will officiate. Burial with military honors will follow in Prairie Street Cemetery, Elkhart.

Memorials may be given to Trinity Lutheran School, 400 West Blvd., Elkhart, IN 46514 or The Human Society of Elkhart County, 54687 C.R. 19, Bristol, IN 46507. Visit www.billingsfuneralhome.com to send online condolences.