Kenneth J. Saltzmann

Kenneth J. Saltzmann of Kinsman, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, August 4, 2011 at 2:40 p.m. in his home with his family and friends by his side after a courageous and faithful battle with cancer. He was 74 years old. Affectionately known as "Ken" by his family and friends, he was born on October 15, 1936 in Champion Township, the son of James and Mabel (Shafer) Saltzmann and was a graduate of Champion High School and would go on to graduate in 1985 from Word of Faith Christian College. Mr. Saltzmann was a proud veteran of the United States Army having served our country during the Korean War as a Specialist Grade 4 with the 4th U.S. Army. Following his discharge, he would go onto have 35 years of service with Packard Electric before his retirement in 1999 where Ken had first been a wire cutter and then was a semi truck driver. After retiring, Ken then drove semi truck for Sanfrey Trucking Company retiring in 2010. From 1994-2006, Ken and his wife Carolyn owned and operated the Dairi Oasis in Kinsman. Ken was always a hard worker and loved driving Big Trucks and cooking at the Dairi Oasis. Ken was a very active member of In Spirit and In Truth Fellowship Church in Greenville, Pennsylvania. He cooked the meat for all the Roast Beef Dinner Fund Raisers. Ken was a key member of the leadership team at the church for LeSEA Feed the Hungry Ministry of South Bend, IN. Through his church, he helped feed many churches in the cities of Youngstown, Ashtabula, Jefferson, the Warren Family Mission and also traveled abroad to Honduras to Feed the Hungry. Because of his love for his Lord and for people, he went on many mission trips to Jamaica and Africa. Through the years, Ken had served as a Sunday School Teacher, Deacon, and Elder in his Church. He had a heart for children and taught many youth for over 26 years. He and his wife were Foster Parents for 4 years for the Bair Fondation. Ken was on many sport teams including bowling, golf and horseshoes and did excellent in all of them even scoring a 299 in bowling. He also held a pilot's license and loved flying. Ken enjoyed camping, going on picnics, taking long rides and had a passion for singing and continued to sing throughout his illness. As a patient at the Hospice House in Poland, Ken would sing to all of his nurses and the songs would always be personalized to that caregiver. Throughout Ken's last months battling the cancer, he was still a mentor and an inspiration and would be blessed on a daily basis with those that would stop by to see him and some that wanted to still hear him preach the word of God that would keep them on the faithful track. Kenneth is survived by his wife of 39 years the former Carolyn Kellar whom he married on November 8, 1971; three daughters Kimberly R. Fenstermaker of Cortland, Tracy L. Saltzmann of Warren and an adopted daughter Kim Sue (Alan) Hyde of Newton Falls; and three grandsons Justin R. (Michelle) Kaszowski of Howland, Matthew R. and Chase W. McElravy of Warren. Ken is also survived by a sister Joan C. Saltzmann of Champion and a sister-in-law Josie Saltzmann of Cortland. Besides his parents, Ken was preceded in death by two brothers Tom and Robert. Visitation will take place on Friday August12, 2011 from 4 until 8 p.m. at In Spirit and In Truth Fellowship and again on Saturday August 13, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at the church. A Celebration of Life will take place on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at In Spirit and In Truth Fellowship, 410 Kinsman Road, Greenville, PA. As an expression of sympathy the family request that contributions be made to Hospice House, 9803 Sharrott Road, Poland, Ohio 44514 or to In Spirit and In Truth Fellowship 410 Kinsman Road, Greenville, PA. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Madasz Funeral Chapel, Brookfield, Ohio.