Obituary of Kenneth Arthur Fletcher

Kenneth Arthur Fletcher, age 72 of Midland Michigan, died early Friday Morning, Dec 17, 2021, at his farm located on E. Bradford Rd, Midland in a housefire. The cause was determined to be a wood burner-chimney fire. Also lost were his beloved family pets (6 cats). Kenneth was born Nov 2, 1949, to Guy Waldo Fletcher and Myrna (Loachridge) Fletcher in Midland MI at a location lovingly known as “Goat Hill”. This was his home for 19 years. Ken attended McGill Elementary School (K-3); Longview Elementary (4-7); Central Intermediate High School Rodd St (8-11). In 1968, Kenneth moved with his family to Sanford MI, graduating from Sanford High School where he had become a local track star on the Sanford Pole Vault Track Team. Ken was drafted into the Army in 1969 and served in the Vietnam campaign. He ended his tour of duty in 1971 with an early honorable discharge after 2 years of service. In 1973 he married a local Sanford girl, Beverly Anne Carnahan. Ken loved music and started playing musical instruments at age 9 (banjo, guitar, mandolin, piano). It was then that the family started a band known as The Three Hits and a Miss which consisted of Ken, his father Guy, brother Jimmy, and sister Carolyn. Ken’s father Guy and grandfather Arthur Fletcher put on public dances at local halls around the area (Mt. Haley, Porter, Lee, Homer and Brant Township Halls). Ken’s family of aunts, uncles and cousins all played musical instruments and provided music for these dances over the years. Far too many to name! Kenneth was very proud to see that his grandson Justice has carried on the family’s interest, love, and talent for music. Over the years Ken developed a very good singing voice. He sang for public entertainment at local weddings, bars, VFW, American Legion, Eagles and The Moose Club. He also donated his voice and time to sing at benefits to help those who had fallen on hard times. He sang with many local bands including Kickin-Kountry, his cousin Gary Hintermeister’s band, until Gary’s untimely passing in 2021, a great loss to Kenneth who lost his “best music buddy” (Ken’s words). Ken loved organic gardening, composting, and grew the best vegetables which he shared with family, friends, neighbors, and total strangers who would stop for free veggies at “the little stand” he put out by the road. He was also a home wine maker and, with his longtime friend Jimmy Sequine, had bottled more than 25 different flavors of wine. Ken also worked on many mechanical projects over the years with good friends Harry Phetteplace, John Boese, and many others. Kenneth was pre-deceased by his wife Beverly Anne (Carnahan) Fletcher; mother and father, Guy and Myrna Fletcher; brother, Harold Guy Fletcher (6mo); brother-in-law, Larry G McClain; and nephew, Alan L. McClain. Ken is survived by his daughter, Amy Marie Shebester; grandson, Justice Martin Shebester; siblings, Barbara Joan (Larry) Prince, Carolyn Ann (Larry G) McClain, Jimmy L (Karen) Fletcher, and Roger L. (Sandy Johnson) Fletcher; nieces and nephews, Duane Prince, Danny Prince, Carmen K. McClain, Sandra K. McClain, Jamie (William) Maxwell, Evan (Eli) Clayton, and Kurt (Brandi) Fletcher. Ken will be missed by many. Per his wishes cremation has taken place and he has been placed to rest with his wife Beverly at Memorial Gardens in Midland. A celebration of Kenneth’s life will be held in the future, no date has been set at this time.