Kenneth Allen Sporleder, 85

Kenneth Allen Sporleder, passed away on August 18, 2024, one day before his 86th birthday, in Sebring, Florida.

Ken was born at home on Aug.19,1938 in McHenry, Illinois to the late Walter and Evelyn (Dalhke) Sporleder. He moved with his family to Woodstock, Illinois in 1943. Ken was drafted into the United States Army in October of 1959 and proudly served stateside until February of 1962. Upon returning to Woodstock, he had a long career in the grocery business starting with Piggly Wiggly, later called Eagle Foods, which was just a couple doors away from the family home. It was at that store where he met the love of his life, Dolores (Holy) Conway whom he married on May 9,1977. Dolores was a single mom of seven children, and “Kenny”, as he was known by his new family, quickly became stepfather to a sizable bunch of teenagers and twenty-somethings. He was also an important part of Dolores’s longtime group of friends from her summers in Lac du Flambeau and Minocqua, Wisconsin and remained so until his passing. Ken and Dolores loved the Florida life and relocated to Bonita Springs, Florida in 1985 where he continued his career in the grocery business working at Lucky Foods, Kash n’ Karry, and Publix until his retirement.

Ken enjoyed children, particularly babies, watching old westerns, following golf and the Little League World Series, and playing cards and board games with his friends and grandchildren. Throughout the years, Ken and Dolores traveled to numerous countries around the world. He had fond memories of spending time in Costa Rica, Greece, Germany, and Thailand. Ken is survived by his stepchildren, Kathleen (Michael) Sullivan and Dr. Timothy (Kathy) Conway all of Woodstock, Denise (Richard) Gaylord of Mesa, Arizona, and Diane (Thomas) Lord of Johnstown, Colorado, stepdaughter-in-law, Linda Haddock Conway, stepson-in-law, Stephen Sankey, sister-in-law, Gloria Holy, step-niece Sue (Holy) Van Steele, brother Ronnie “Jock” (Connie), sisters Pat (Walter) Suhr and Judy Rank, sisters-in-law MaryAnn Sporleder and Linda Sporleder, 18 grandchildren, and 35 great grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

He is predeceased by his parents Walter and Evelyn Sporleder, his wife of 43 years, Dolores, stepchildren Michael and Daniel Conway, and Mary Sankey, sisters Marilyn Radalffod, Shirley Keller, Virgeane Barron, brothers Larry “Butch”, Richard “Poncho”, David, Jerry “Bud”, and brothers-in-law Jim Rank, Gayle Barron, and Earl Keller.

As per Ken’s wishes, there will be no service. A private interment will take place at the McHenry County Memorial Park.