Kenneth R. Nopwasky
Warning: getimagesize(): Filename cannot be empty in /usr/web/cs-washington.ogdennews.com/wp-content/themes/News_Core_2023_WashCluster/includes/single/strategically_placed_photos_article.php on line 139
Warning: Division by zero in /usr/web/cs-washington.ogdennews.com/wp-content/themes/News_Core_2023_WashCluster/includes/single/strategically_placed_photos_article.php on line 142
Kenneth R. “Ken” Nopwasky, 82, Joplin, Md., passed away at 5:18 p.m. Sunday, December 10, 2017, in Mercy Hospital, Joplin.
He was born December 30, 1934, in Crucible, a son of the late Charles and Grace Randall Nopwasky. He was the 11th of a family of 12 children.
Mr. Nopwasky was raised in Crucible and attended public school through the eighth grade. He then attended Cumberland Township High School, where he participated in football and basketball, graduating in 1954. He enrolled at West Virginia University, working various jobs, including the coal mines.
On January 27, 1957, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps. Following boot camp at Paris Island, S.C., and advanced training at Camp LeJeune, N.C., he was assigned to a guard detachment at NATO headquarters in Naples, Italy, for two years. He was honorably discharged October 22, 1959.
Mr. Nopwasky went to work for Crucible Steel Co. in Midland, then went on to work for M.W. Kellog Construction Co. in Joplin in 1960. He transferred within the company to Toledo, Ohio, in 1961 and returned to Joplin in 1962. He worked for the City of Joplin Engineering Department from 1962 to 1969. He attended night school at the former Joplin Junior College and later received a bachelor of science degree in sociology and political science from Missouri Southern State College in 1970. He was employed by Ozark Regional Planning Commission from 1970 to 1974 and Missouri Department of Mental Health, Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse from 1974 to 1981. He worked at Market Development Division, Agriculture Development Fund from 1981, until his retirement in 1995.
In his spare time, he enjoyed golf and traveling. He and his wife took several trips to Europe, including Italy, France, Switzerland and Germany. When he gave up golf, he enjoyed going to horse races.
He was a lifelong member of Elks Lodge 501, Briarbrook Golf and Country Club and St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church and longtime member of Joplin Family Y. He was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps.
On April 8, 1961, he married Betty Royal, who survives at home.
Additional survivors are a daughter, Elizabeth Anne “Beth” Nopwasky of Joplin; a sister, Ruth Yelenik of Dilliner; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by siblings Ed, Bill, Harry, Robert and Eugene Nopwasky, Ethel Utterback, Millie Vukovich, Anna Belle Durkin, Edith Burton and Valiera Nopwasky.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday in Parker Mortuary, Joplin. Services are planned for 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, December 13, in St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church, Joplin, with the Rev. J. Friedel officiating. Interment will follow in Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery, Joplin. Pallbearers will be Joe McKenzie, O.D. Blue, Ken Lovett, Joe Tichota, Bill Allen, Larry Cowger and David Burton.
Memorial contributions may be made in the care of Parker Mortuary to St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church.