Kenneth Fleming

Kenneth Virgil Fleming 84, of Carmel, passed away December 6, 2014. He was a dedicated and loving husband, father and grandfather who will be remembered for the constant support and moral integrity that he exhibited throughout his lifetime. Ken was a perpetually good-natured and inquisitive soul, an avid cornet, trumpet and piano player, and had a passion for travels by car with his wife, international travel with his sons, and family get-togethers. Ken was born on November 8, 1930 in Evanston, IN and grew up in Tampa, FL. He attended Coe College and Iowa State University, graduating with an engineering degree. He was commissioned an Officer in the Army Corps of Engineers and served in Korea from 1952-53 and was honorably discharged in 1954 as a 1st Lieutenant. He received his MBA from Indiana University in 1957 and subsequently worked for General Electric Defense Systems Division in Pittsfield, MA for most of his career, retiring as Manager of Contracts in 1991. Ken married Shirley Mae Fuller on May 15, 1961, to be followed by 53 years of loving marriage, four offspring, and numerous grandchildren, often delighting in holding them on his lap as he played his beloved baby grand piano. He sang as baritone for the Berkshire Hillsmen Barbershop Chorus (MA) and the First Congregational Church (Lee, MA), played trumpet with the New Horizons Band (Indianapolis), and volunteered at Bloomington Hospital (Bloomington, IN), and the USO (Indianapolis). He is survived by his wife, Shirley; sons, Ronald (Rosanna) of Ringoes, NJ and Daniel (Puy) of San Francisco, CA; daughters, Lynne (Clay) Isbell of Carmel and Lauralee (Keefe) Pietri of Fishers; and grandchildren, Roslyn, Jackson, Robert, Mikayla, Alison, Robyn, and Ian; and sister, Marilyn Waggoner of Grabill. He was preceded in death by his parents, Virgil Wesley Fleming and Sarah Anders Lumley; and sister, Velma Marshall. Services will be held at 2 p.m. December 10, 2014 with calling from Noon at the Good Shepherd Chapel at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens, 9700 Allisonville Rd., Indianapolis. Memorial contributions may be made to the New Horizons Band in Indianapolis or the First Congregational Church in Lee, Massachusetts.