Kenneth B. Fester, Jr.

Kenneth B. Fester, Jr., 83, of Danville, left our mortal world to travel to his next adventure on Monday, November 25, 2024. Ken was in hospice care at Emmanuel Center in Danville.

Born in Danville on November 13, 1941, he was the son of the late Kenneth B. and Dorothy (Stetler) Fester, Sr.. Ken was a 1959 graduate of Danville High School.

Ken worked at TRW in Danville, and several other jobs, and then worked at Danville State Hospital for 28 years.

He worked with his father in the furniture business for a short time before joining the Air Force. Ken loved airplanes and had hoped to become a pilot in the Air Force. Instead, he was appointed as a weatherman and was stationed in Tennessee. He never got a chance to fly, but he started taking private lessons while in the Air Force.

Ken became a private pilot and had a commercial, multi-engine, instrument, and instructor rating. He gave lessons at Danville airport and taught many students to fly. Ken also built and flew model airplanes. He also built many small, to scale airplane models for pilots and donated 13 Cessna Models to the Piper Aviation Museum in Lock Haven. He also made several models and donated them to a museum in New York. Ken was very talented. In addition to his love for airplanes, Ken also loved to fish.

He belonged to the EAA Chapter Chapter 769, the QB “Quiet Birdman,” Moose Lodge, and the American Legion Post 40.

Ken always loved to tell jokes and make people laugh. He was quick witted and great at coming up with funny sayings.

Surviving is his wife, the former F. JoAnn (Lisiewicz) Fester, with whom he celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary on July 29, 2024; three children, Christina S. wife of Tim Button and their two daughters, Miranda J. Button and Mariana E. Button, of New Milford, Kenneth Paul Fester and his wife Michelle (Geist), and their children, Kensley E. Fester and Broden (Brody) B. Fester, of Morgantown, and John Curtis Fester and his wife, Jennifer (Fraundorfer) Fester and their daughter, Alora A. Fester of Saratoga Springs, New York

Ken was a big brother survived by five sisters, Linda Ivey and husband Jim and daughter, Melissa of Danville, Barbara Savage and husband Harold, and daughters, Deborah and Rebecca, and two great nieces of Catawissa and Shirley, widow Terry Brofee, West Milton, Janet Swartz and husband Charlie, and sons, Matthew and Mark of Milton, June Leffler, and sons Brian and Todd, of Danville and three more great nieces and great nephews. Ken has two brothers-in-law and two more nieces and one nephew.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Tuesday December 3, 2024 at 11 a.m. in the Roat-Kriner Funeral Home, 1133 Bloom Rd., Danville. Interment will follow in Straub’s Cemetery, Valley Township with Military Honors by the U.S. Air Force and American Legion Post 40. Visitation will be held from 10-11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Piper Aviation Museum, 1 Piper Way, Lock Haven, PA 17745 or EAA Chapter #769, Sunbury Airport, Sunbury, PA 17801 in his name.