Rev. Kenneth D. Pickens

REV. KENNETH D. PICKENS, 89, of Centralia and a former Vandalia resident, “Went home to be with the Lord” on Wednesday morning, October 20, 2021.

He was born in Kinmundy, IL on February 16, 1932, the son of Thomas Franklin & Lois Pearl (Sanders) Pickens.

He married Virginia (Needham) on May 14, 1950, and she preceded him in death on Sept. 20, 1996.

Rev. Pickens was a Church of God Pastor for over 65 years. Two years ago he was recognized as the oldest Church of God Pastor still actively preaching in the state of Illinois.

He loved kids, reading and tending his flower garden. There are several people who are pastors and others serving the Lord in various capacities who were mentored and cultivated by Rev. Pickens.

Rev. Pickens is survived by his:

Daughter: Vonna Cluck & husband Larry of Walnut Hill

Grandson: Victor Cluck & wife Jessica of Odin

Granddaughter: Victoria Weems & husband Brian of Salem

Great-Grandchildren: Matthew, Damien, Natalie, Natasha, Harley and Dean.

Brother: Tom Pickens & wife Dorothy of Hendersonville, NC

Rev. Pickens was preceded in death by his Parents, Wife, by a Daughter-Kendra Karch, by a Son-Dale Pickens, by an infant Daughter-Virginia Dalene, by 2 Brothers-Sam Pickens & Charles Pickens & by a Sister-Reba Cherrington.

Funeral services will be held at 12 Noon on Saturday, Oct. 23rd at the Bonnie Church of God with Rev. Zach Schaeffer & Rev. Micah Arcuri officiating. Burial will be in the Tower Heights Cemetery in West Frankfort. Visitation will be after 10 A.M. on Saturday at the Church.

For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.johnstonfuneralhome.com

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.