Dr. Wilbur Kennedy

Dr. Wilbur Duane Kennedy, 86, of Phoebe Berks Village, son of Wilbur Rockwell and Alma Rosina (Jones) Kennedy was born in Mars, PA on February 13, 1935.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Shirley May (Stockdale) Kennedy and second son, R. Scott Kennedy.  He is survived by two sons, Thomas, husband of Meghan of Fair Play, SC and Richard, of Womelsdorf, and daughter, Cathy, spouse of Susan of Vallejo CA; six grandchildren: Michael Kennedy, husband of Ambreen, Matthew Kennedy, Erin (Kennedy) wife of Samuel, Andrew Kennedy, Bridget Kennedy and Ashley Shadle, wife of Dennis; six great-grandchildren, Beau, Aiden, Conner, Hanna, Wells, and Jude, and his sister, Alma Jane Kennedy Jaquish, of Keller, TX.

Following the death of his first wife, he married Marilyn (McCleary-Funk) Kennedy in 2004.  His life was further enriched by his step-children, Stephanie Funk of FL, Rebecca (Funk) Campbell, wife of John of CA, John Funk, husband of Sandra of Tamaqua, and David Funk, husband of Marti of Tamaqua, five grandchildren, Cole Funk, Jodie (Funk) Heisey, Dillon Campbell, Taylor Campbell, and Jordan Funk, and three great-grandchildren, Brylee, Ryker and Matthew.

He was valedictorian of Mars High School’s class of 1953. He matriculated to Penn State and majored in pre-veterinary medicine before transferring to Cornell Veterinary College in 1955.  He married his high school sweetheart, Shirley Stockdale on June 7, 1957 before earning his DVM degree in 1959. Upon graduation he was hired by Dr. Charles Myers of Center Hall, PA for general veterinary practice.  In 1961, he purchased the veterinary practice of Dr. James Eagleman in Womelsdorf, where he resided until August, 2004.

In 1976, in partnership with Dr. Eagleman and five other Cornell graduates, he co-founded Willow Creek Animal Hospital in Leesport, PA. An all species practice comprising 15 veterinarians; Dr. Kennedy’s served small and large animals, with a focus on farm animals.

The foundation of enjoyment in his life was his relationships with God, his family, and his friends and colleagues.  A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, January 24, 2022 at 1:30pm in Phoebe Berks Chapel, 1 Reading Drive, Wernersville, PA 19565.  Celebrated by Pastor Leah Knox.   Donations in lieu of flowers can be given to Heifer International (website www.heifer.org).  Bean Funeral Homes is in charge of arrangements and online condolences may be made at www.beanfuneralhomes.com.