DUBOIS, Ill. — Mr. Lee Wayne Kennedy, of DuBois, Ill., departed this life at 12:33 p.m. on March 20, 2018, at Memorial Medical Center, Springfield, surrounded by his loving family.  He had attained the age of 43 years and 16 days.

Per the wishes of Lee and his family, cremation was performed, and a celebration of life will be held at the DuBois Community Center, in DuBois, on Saturday, March 31, 2018, from noon-2 p.m.  Calvert Funeral Home, Clinton, assisted the family with cremation rites.

A graveside service will be conducted at the Ashley City Cemetery on Saturday, March 31, 2018, at 2:30 p.m., with the Rev. Les Boldt officiating.  Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the children of Lee Wayne Kennedy and directed to the Lee Wayne Kennedy memorial funds c/o Floyd “B.J.” Denton, P.O. Box 66, Tamaroa, IL 62888.

Lee was born on March 4, 1975, in Centralia, Ill., the son of James Lee and Maryan (Skabialka) Kennedy.  Lee was a former member of the U.S. Army National Guard prior to receiving a medical discharge.  He was a talented welder and an ordained minister.  He enjoyed working with his hands, driving fast, and raising his family.  Lee had an infectious laugh and a huge heart; he loved his family and friends and was a devoted father, who enjoyed life and watching his children grow.  Lee has donated his organs to Gift of Hope.

Lee is survived by his four daughters, Kayla, of Olney, Ill.; Steven, of Bridgeport, Ill., and Jonathan and Serenity, both of Taylorville.  Lee was excited at the prospect of meeting his first grandchild, Isabella, due on June 11, 2018.  In addition, he is survived by his mother, Maryan Skabialka Kennedy Swinford and husband Scott Swinford, of Clinton; brothers, Jimmy Denton and girlfriend Lisa, of Tamaroa and Floyd “Bi” Denton and girlfriend Kylee Catt, of Tamaroa; sisters, Thresea Dowell and husband Jackie, of Marion, Va., and Lisa Gobble and husband Bobby, of Meadowview, Va.  Lee is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his father, James “Big Foot” Lee Kennedy, of Parkersburg, Ill., and grandparents, Marion and Pina Marie Skabialka, of DuBois, Ill.

Lee will be greatly missed by all who knew him.  He deeply loved his children.

Online condolences may be made at www.calvertmemorial.com.