Kenneth F. Subler, 97, former noted businessman formerly of Versailles, Ohio, and Key Colony Beach, Florida, passed away at 8:50 p.m. on March 25 at The Brethren Home in Greenville, Ohio.
Kenny was born June 21, 1912 in Frenchtown, Ohio, to the late Felix E. and Estella (Bulcher) Subler. In addition to his parents, Kenny is also preceded in death by his first wife, Ruby H. (Batty) Subler on September 11, 1973, whom he married on November 22, 1934; his second wife, Regina (Tess) A. Bordenet Settles Subler on September 16, 2002, whom he married on April 26, 1975; stepmother Bertha Goffena Subler; sister Alverda A. Bohman; brother Carl J. Subler; infant sister Catherine Subler; infant grandson Richard K. Subler; half-sister Mary Ann Berger; stepbrother Marion Goffena; stepsisters Rita Hannan, Eileen Batty, and Patricia Dabbelt.
Kenny was a 1930 graduate of Versailles High School, and was for forty-six years the owner and president of Subler Transfer, Inc., a trucking company specializing in hauling refrigerated foodstuffs. The company had offices in Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, Cleveland, Chicago, and Cherokee, Iowa. The home office was located in Versailles, Ohio. At its height, the company employed approximately 350 people. In connection with his business, Kenny was active in the American Trucking Association and held several offices therein. He also served as president of the Refrigerated Division of the Irregular Route Conference of the American Trucking Association.
Kenny was a lifetime member and a past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus; lifetime member of the Lions Club and a recipient of the prestigious Melvin Jones Fellowship Award given by the Lions Club International Foundation for Dedicated Humanitarian Services, the Foundation’s highest honor; former mayor of Versailles; former Versailles school board member; Fund Drive chairman for St. Denis School and St. Denis Church, Versailles athletic track, and Darke County airport. Kenny was also a major donor to Heritage Park in Versailles and to both the Versailles YMCA and the Greenville YMCA.
In his spare time, Kenny was an avid fisherman and pilot. During World War II, he flew missions for The Civil Air Patrol, and during the course of thirty-six years of flying, was instrumental in taking more than 100 people their first plane ride.
Kenny is survived by son and daughter-in-law Edward and Shirley Subler of Versailles; son Richard Subler of Dothan, Alabama; son and daughter-in-law Bradley and Linda Subler of Monee, Illinois; daughter and son-in-law Myrna and Thomas Stone of Greenville, Ohio; former daughter-in-law Betty (Dapore) Subler Norris of Versailles; stepson and stepdaughter-in-law Dan and Dee Settles of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; stepdaughter Sister Colleen Settles of Los Angeles, California; stepdaughter and son-in-law Kathy and Richard Tait of Oveida, Florida; twelve grandchildren; and twenty-five great grandchildren.
He is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law Basil and Annabel Subler, half-brother and sister-in-law John and Isabella Subler, half-sister Doris Monnin, and sister-in-law Krista Subler, all of Versailles.
A private viewing will be held for family members at Bailey Zechar Funeral Home in Versailles from 3:00 to 4:00 pm on Monday, March 29 with public viewing to follow from 4:00 to 8:00 pm.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Denis Catholic Church in Versailles at 10:30 am on Tuesday, March 30. Burial will follow in St. Valbert Cemetery where he will be laid to rest beside his beloved Ruby.
The family requests that any memorial contributions be made to The Brethren Retirement Community Resident Aid Fund, Greenville, Ohio, and/or State of the Heart Hospice, also of Greenville.