Kenneth L. Bridgford

***THE BRIDGFORD FAMILY IS PROCEEDING WITH SERVICES AS SCHEDULED.  THEY UNDERSTAND IF FRIENDS ARE NOT COMFORTABLE COMING OUT IN THE POOR WEATHER BUT WILL BE THERE TO GREET THOSE THAT ARE.***

Kenneth Lyle Bridgford, 91 (One month shy of his 92^nd birthday), of Coal Valley, Illinois, passed away on Wednesday, January 3, 2024 at Clarissa C. Cook Hospice in Bettendorf, Iowa.

Services are 10:00 a.m. Saturday, January 13, at First Presbyterian Church in Coal Valley, with Reverend Timothy Snart officiating.  The family would like to thank Rev. Snart for his many years of friendship and his love and support during Ken’s final days.  Visitation is 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Friday, January 12, at Trimble Funeral Home, Coal Valley.  Memorials may be made to the church.

Born January 27, 1932 in Durant, Iowa, to Lyle and Lucille (Stoltenberg) Bridgford, Ken grew up in different small towns in eastern Iowa before moving to Davenport with his family where he graduated from Davenport High School.  He attended St. Ambrose College, the University of Iowa, earning a bachelor’s degree in engineering.  He served in the Iowa National Guard.

On June 14, 1958 he married Carole Nelson of Moline, shortly thereafter they bought the property in Coal Valley where they lived their life together and raised four children.  He worked as an engineer at the Rock Island Arsenal, and worked several jobs on a contractor basis after retirement.  He served on the board of directors of Svea Mutual Insurance Co.

Ken was a man of deep faith and was very involved with his church, First Presbyterian Church in Coal Valley, serving as a men’s Bible study teacher, Deacon, and as Clerk of Session for many years, among other roles.  He also served as Grand Master of the Coal Valley Masonic Lodge #547.

Ken said “Your legacy is your family” and he was deeply proud of his children’s and grandchildren’s many accomplishments.  He was even more proud of the people they became, and he loved spending time with his family.  For their part, Ken’s family will always cherish the time spent with him, they will remember the mischievous twinkle in his eye as he was about to tell a joke or a story.  With a loving and growing family that will always cherish his memory, Ken’s legacy is secure.

Survivors include his wife, Carole; son, Kevin (Sandy) Bridgford of Westmont, Illinois; daughters, Kelly (Rob) Higgins of Lagrange, Illinois, and Kari (Pat) Waldron of Adel, Iowa; grandchildren, Nick Duval, Ben Higgins, Will Higgins, Kate Higgins, Jonah (Maddy) Waldron, Sam Waldron, Clara Waldron and Leo Waldron; a sister, Teresa (Karl) Bleyhl of Coal Valley; several cousins, nieces and a nephew, and other relatives; his church family, many friends, and his dog, Sadie.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Dr. Kim Bridgford; parents, Lyle and Lucille Bridgford; Carole’s parents, Reynold and Dorothy Nelson; and his brother, Ronald Bridgford.

The family invites friends to share stories and condolences at TrimbleFuneralHomes.com.