Kevin Schenk

July 27, 1968 - October 19, 2021

Kevin was the youngest of John and Willy Schenk’s seven children, born July 27, 1968 , on his sister Barb’s 4th birthday. During his life Kevin was a giver and teacher of love, compassion and forgiveness. One of his favourite songs was Amazing Grace, and he was an example of how to live fully and gracefully with the limitations and gifts he had. Kevin died on October 19, 2021 at Meadowview Villa in Petrolia, Ontario. He was assured he would be greeted in heaven by those who went before, including his mother Willy Schenk/ Bos (2005), father John Schenk (2016) and oldest niece Melanie (2018), Kevin will be dearly missed by his only brother William (Diana), and sisters Cathy (Steve), Margaret, Yvonne (John), Sharon (Sid) and Barb (Glenn). Kevin cared about every one of his 20 nieces and nephews, their spouses, and their children. In his early 20’s Kevin moved into a supported independent living home in Sarnia where he was richly blessed by the support of his Christian Horizons family. Kevin counted on and trusted staff. Special people in his life were his house ‘brothers’ Raymond (who is waiting in heaven) and Daryl. Staff and family were always being introduced to new friends in Kevin’s huge circle. There are too many for us to know, but each one’s contribution to Kevin’s live was valued. Kevin’s lifelong participation in his community has been astonishing and admirable. When living in Wyoming he went to High Hopes Nursery School, was supported by Lambton County Developmental Services, a member of Wyoming Christian Reformed Church, a 4H member, went to Wyoming Public School and then LCCVI, and participated in Special Olympics. In Sarnia, Kevin’s community involvement with Christian Horizons included fundraising on Team Hoyt in the Ride for Refuge, and from Christian Horizons he received the Award of Excellence (2015) and Award for Community Participation (2019). For many years Kevin was a person with lived experience on the Board of the Sarnia Association for Community Living and he enjoyed going to their monthly dances. Kevin held part time jobs at the Dutch Market and Stokes Restaurant, He was politically active in election campaigns, a member and helper at Sovereign Grace Community Church, and he met weekly with the Full Gospel Businessman Fellowship. He attended the annual Mayor’s Breakfast. Being a helper for baseball was a highlight of his summers. Kevin attended meetings at Sarnia Legion Branch 62, and he routinely cheered on the Legion’s Pipe and Drum band, the same band who played at Kevin’s epic 50th birthday party. If heaven provides everything he loved in this life, Kevin will be sitting in a comfortable chair in a Dutch tulip field, wearing an orange shirt, drinking a cup of black coffee, eating donuts and Dutch mocha cake, working on his paperwork, watching a Toronto Maple Leafs hockey game, and he endlessly talking on his phone to family and friends. A private graveside service will be held at the Wyoming Cemetery. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 23, 2021 at 11:30 am and can be viewed at www.facebook.com/NeedhamJay. Kevin’s family will receive friends at his brother William’s home at 4706 Confederation Line, Wyoming on Saturday, October 23, 2021 from 2 to 4 p.m., Masks are required and social distancing is expected when visiting with the family. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Christian Horizons (www.christianhorizons.org). Arrangements by Needham-Jay Funeral Home www.needhamjay.com.