Daniel Howard Kennedy, 89, died 6 p.m., Saturday, June 17, 2017, at his home in Port Royal.
Born on Feb. 17, 1928, in Port Royal, he was the son of the late W. Banks and Jessie (Saffel) Kennedy.
Surviving is his loving wife of 63 years, Jessie (Swartz) Kennedy, whom he married on May 18, 1954.
Also surviving are two children: Desiree Mummah and husband, Ronald, of Port Royal, and Scott Kennedy and wife, Linda, of Lewistown; four grandchildren, Stacey Kelley and husband, Olivio, Danielle Mummah and friend, Shane Zimmerman, Ronda Ehrenzeller and husband, Martin, and Eric Kennedy and wife, Esther; eight great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandsons.
The following eight sisters also survive: Shirley J. Groce, of Newark, Del., Jeanne E. Buczek and husband, Hank, of Harrisburg, Jessie M. Nace and husband, Darve, of Mifflintown, Faye K. Stitt, of Mifflin, Ruth K. Wynn, of Dauphin, Patricia A. Walters and husband, James, of Port Royal, Paula K. Rosenstengel and husband, Jack, of Mechanicsburg, and Betty K. Robinson, of Port Royal. A sister-in-law, Mary Jane Morris, of Harrisburg also survives.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, James “Mayor” Kennedy in 1968, and William Kennedy in 1997, as well as a nephew, Herb Kennedy in 1975.
Daniel, the last living member of the TVHS class of 1946, served as class president, drum major and was also know for his baseball talents.
Retiring in 1990, he worked as a signalman, serving 42 years with the PRR, Penn Central and Conrail. He was a member of the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen Local #1.
Kennedy also was a member of the Port Royal United Methodist Church.
A WWII U.S. Navy veteran, Daniel served as a medic from 1946-1948.
He was a member of the Juniata Valley Forest #88 Tall Cedars of Lebanon with 64 years of service, the Union Lodge #324 F.&A. of Mifflintown for 65 years, in which he served as worshipful master in 1980 and the Lewistown Chapter #186 Royal Arch Masons.
He also was a 70-year member of the American Legion Post #298, of Mifflintown, and served on the Port Royal Borough Council for 10 years, and held the position of president.
His funeral will be held 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, June 21, 2017, at Port Royal United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Terry J. Brosius officiating.
A viewing will be held from 7 to 9 p.m., Tuesday evening, at Rex Funeral Home, Port Royal, where Masonic services will take place at 8:30 p.m.
A viewing will also be held at the church on Wednesday morning from 9:30 until the time of services.
Interment will follow the funeral at the Old Church Hill Cemetery, where full military honors will be conducted by the Juniata County Veteran’s Council.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Daniel’s name may be sent to West Family Center Building Fund, Port Royal United Methodist Church.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 5/17/14 - Image Year: 2014
Photo of Dan and Jessie (Swartz) Kennedy that appeared in a 2005-06 Photo Directory of Port Royal United Methodist Church members. (The photos were taken by Olan Mills Studios.).
Contributed by rkohler3 on 6/13/14 - Image Year: 2014
60th ANNIVERSARY: Daniel and Jessie Kennedy celebrate their 60th Wedding Anniversary, May 18, 2014. (Photo from the Times (Port Royal)).
Contributed by rkohler3 on 1/14/13 - Image Year: 1944
Dan Kennedy in his Navy uniform. (Photo submitted by Wayne Taylor)
Contributed by rkohler3 on 12/27/10 - Image Year: 1962
DANIEL H. KENNEDY dressed for the 1962 Port Royal Sesqui-centennial celebration. (Photo submitted by Desi (Kennedy) Mummah)
Contributed by rkohler3 on 12/27/10 - Image Year: 1962
DANIEL H. and JESSIE (SWARTZ) KENNEDY dressed for the 1962 Port Royal Sesqui-centennial celebration. (Photo submitted by Desi (Kennedy) Mummah)
Contributed by rkohler3 on 12/9/10 - Image Year: 1945
RESTAURANT GANG (abt 1945) (l-r) Dan Kennedy, Grover Wolfgang, Ed Leonard, Clint Bashore. (Photo contributed by Ralph and Jill Leonard-Perez)
Contributed by rkohler3 on 10/7/11 - Image Year: 1996
TVHS CLASS 1946 REUNION (Home of Donald & Marylou Bailor - Aug. 24, 1996) FRONT ROW (l-r): Roberta Brackbill Kepner, Martha Hackedorn Raffensberger; BACK ROW (l-r) DANIEL KENNEDY, Edgar Leonard, Donald Bailor
Contributed by rkohler3 on 1/6/11 - Image Year: 2008
FOUR GENERATIONS OF THE DANIEL KENNEDY FAMILY: (seated) Jessie (Swartz) Kennedy and Daniel Kennedy. (standing l-r) granddaughter Rhonda (Mummah) Ehrenzeller holding her daughter Brooklyn and their daughter Desi (Kennedy) Mummah holding her grandson Brayden Ehrenzeller.
Contributed by muke on 11/16/11
My father, Daniel Kennedy, is currently 83 years old and is a life long resident of Port Royal. He loves this town! He is past President of the Port Royal Council, member of the Port Royal United Methodist church and proud Democrat! In his younger years he was known as a great baseball pitcher and was even drafted into the Big Leagues. A bad vehicle accident prevented him from playing but my brother and I have his contract. We never got to see him play baseball but we are lucky he is our Dad
