Kennith Leroy Merideth
August 22, 1931 ~ September 22, 2026
Born in:
Louisville, KY
Resided in:
Columbus, IN
Kennith Leroy Merideth, 95, of Columbus, passed away on Tuesday, September 22, 2026 at Willow Crossing Health and Rehabilitation. Kennith was born on August 22, 1931 in Louisville, KY, raised in Cub Run, KY during his childhood.
Ken enlisted in the United States Army at the age of 17 and was a Korean War Veteran, where he was a Master Sergeant in the 6th Medium Tank Battalion Company D. He served 16 months overseas in Korea, where he served as the technical & staff supervising tank leader over a 17 Tank Battalion, as a Master Sergeant, all of this at the age of 19. Ken was awarded a Purple Heart for a bullet that grazed his left cheek in Korea on October 10th, 1951, he spent 2 days in the hospital. He also received the Good Conduct Medal, Distinguished Unit Emblem, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal and Korean Service Medal with 1 Silver,1 Bronze Star, 5 Service Stripes and 2 Overseas Service Bars. Ken was also awarded Sharpshooter Badge, Rifle Bar Marksman Badge with Pistol and Tank Weapons Bar.
Ken owned his own construction company for many years. Later in his work career he worked for and retired from Taylor Brothers Construction in Columbus. He was an avid gardener with not one but two green thumbs. For several years he operated a fruit and vegetable stand at his small farm in Bartholomew County selling all sorts of fruits, vegetables, and was semi famous for his strawberries.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, September 25, 2026 at Jewell-Rittman Funeral Service & Crematory with Jake Sizemore officiating. Calling hours will be one hour prior to the service Friday at the funeral home. Burial will be held at Garland Brook Cemetery with military honors provided by the Bartholomew County Veterans Honor Guard.
Memorial contributions may be made to Our Hospice of South-Central Indiana or Bartholomew County Veterans Honor Guard.
Survivors include his daughters, Sondra (Leonard) Bennett and Cheryl Mitchell both of Shelby County, IN; grandchildren, Matt, Julie, Jarad and Amy; great-grandchildren, Andrew, Morgan, Brady, Aiden, Chelsae, Jennah, Tessa and Alyssa; 5 great-great grandchildren; and 2 half-sisters.
Ken was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Effie Merideth Cosby; first wife, Nadine; second wife, Vera Zieleniuk Merideth; son, Randall Joe Merideth; step-son, Mark Burton; son-in-law, Boyd Mitchell; brother, James Stanley; 3 half-brothers; 3 half-sisters; 3 step-brothers; 1 stepsister and 1 granddaughter, Kelly.
Services
Visitation:
Friday, September 25, 2026
10:00 am - 11:00 am
Jewell ~ Rittman Funeral Service & Crematory
3855 25th St
Columbus, IN 47203
(812) 372-9923
Funeral Service:
Friday, September 25, 2026
11:00 am
Jewell ~ Rittman Funeral Service & Crematory
3855 25th St
Columbus, IN 47203
(812) 372-9923
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What little time spent with Kenney was rewarding. Times he needed help, he called the name of Jesus. May you rest in perfect peace, safe in the arms of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ 🙏🏼❤️