John Franklin Kenawell, age 76, of Ballwin, Missouri, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, August 8, 2019. Born July 4, 1943 in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, he was the son of the late Ralph and Anna (Zeek) Kenawell. He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Linda (Bayle) Kenawell and their five children, Carolyn A. (Robert) Novak, of Gibsonia, PA; John F. Kenawell II, of Wentzville, MO; Christina L. (Dale) Knott, of Manchester, MO; Jennifer L. (Andrew) Marjamaa, of Columbia, MO; and Lynette M. Vogel, of Union, MO. John had eleven grandchildren, Robert M. (Elizabeth) Novak, Kimberly Novak, Kindall Kenawell, John Kenawell, III, Anna Knott, Katherine Marjamaa, Elizabeth Knott, Owen Marjamaa, Wyatt Vogel, Benjamin Marjamaa and Charlotte Knott. He was brother of Janet (Bruce) Duraso, James (Sue) Kenawell, eleven half brothers and sisters and the late Charles and Alice Kenawell. John was a veteran of the United States Navy. He served as National President of the Catholic Knights of America and as a member of the National Board of Catholic Financial Life. He was a life-long Fraternalist. John was a dedicated member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Manchester, Missouri where he volunteered as a Eucharistic Minister and with the St. Vincent De Paul Society. He was a dedicated and loving father, grandfather and uncle. He will be greatly missed. Visitation Monday August 19 from 4 to 8 Pm at Jay B. Smith Funeral Home, 777 Oakwood Dr., Fenton, MO 63026. A Funeral Mass will be held at 9:30 am Tuesday August 20 at St. Joseph Parish, 567 St. Joseph Lane, Manchester MO. 63021. He will be laid to rest with Military Honors at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in Missouri. The family suggests Memorial donations may be sent to St. Vincent De Paul of St. Joseph Church, 567 St. Joseph Lane, Manchester, MO 63021, stjoemanchester.org or Birthright of St. Louis at birthrightstl.org.