Kenneth G. Ramers, 89, of Swansea, IL, born Sunday, May 16, 1920, in Louisville, KY, died Saturday, August 22, 2009 at Forest Park Hospital in St. Louis.

Ken spent his first 14 years in Louisville, KY. Although not an athlete, he loved sports and fondly remembered seeing Babe Ruth hit a home run at Parkway Field. In 1934, he moved with his family to Lima, OH. In 1939, he entered Miami University at Oxford,OH. He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.

In February 1941, Ken was drafted into the Army. He spent 4 1/2 years in service, part of that time serving in Germany with the 100th Division. Following his discharge in March 1946, he was married to Myra, nee Stiehl, Ramers of Nokomis, IL. The couple settled in Fort Lauderdale, FL, where he worked in banking and insurance. They became the parents of three children, a daughter and two sons. In 1966, the family moved to Belleville,IL and in 1969 he joined the staff as Employee Benefits Manager of Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, where he served for twenty years.

During his time at SIUE, he was active in the local Myllan Smyers Chapter at SIUE of the State Universities Annuitants Association and served as president for two years. Following his retirement in 1989, he became active in the State Annuitants Association, serving as president elect for two years and elected president of that organization in October 1991. He was elected to the State Universities Retirement System Hall of Fame in October 1991.

During his years in Belleville, Ken was an active member of Signal Hill Lutheran Church. He served as an elder, trustee, and president of the congregation.

Ken and Myra Ramers celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary on May 4, 2009.

He is preceded in death by:

• Parents: Delmer J. and Mary, nee Young, Ramers
• Son: John Young Ramers
• Brothers
• Delmer Ramers, Jr.
• Ralph Y. Ramers
• Morris Ramers
• Mother and Father-in-Law: Otto and Amanda Stiehl
• Sisters-in-Law: Deanie Ramers and Virginia Ramers
• Brother-in-Law: Jay Stiehl