Kenneth Wesley Voelkel

On November 6, 1946, Kenneth W. Voelkel, better known as “Ken” came into this world in Belleville, Illinois and departed on August 30, 2025. Ken departed with his wife Juanita by his side, holding his hand until his last breath was taken.

The family moved to Hackett, Arkansas and that is where he grew up and he graduated from Hackett High School. Not by choice, all the young men that graduated high school with him got drafted 2 weeks after finishing school. Ken served in the U.S Army. He served in the Vietnam War, before returning to the United States.

Ken was a quiet man who never met a stranger or refused to help someone in need. He retired from Whirlpool Corporation in Fort Smith, Arkansas in 1999.

Preceding Ken in death are his parents, Eugene Voelkel who passed in 1977, and Della Voelkel who passed in 1997, both of Hackett, Arkansas.

He leaves behind wife, Juanita Voelkel of the home; daughter Chelsea Lewis and grandchildren Kinsley, Brantley, and Brodey Lewis, of Hackett, Arkansas. A son Gabriel Voelkel and wife Shannel of Muldrow, Oklahoma; two grandsons Luke and Jacob Voelkel serving in the U.S Navy; sister Peggy Lovell and husband Jerry of Bokoshe, Oklahoma; and daughter Sherrie of Alton, Illinois.

A graveside service to honor Ken’s life will be held Monday, September 8, 2025 at 1:00pm at Fort Smith National Cemetery, 522 Garland Ave, Fort Smith, AR 72901.