Kenneth Mallernee

Kenneth Rusk Mallernee, 87, of Cadiz, Ohio, passed away Saturday, September 25, 2021 at WVU Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, West Virginia. He was born March 13, 1934 in Harrison County, Ohio, a son of the late Rusk and Elizabeth Carson Mallernee.

Ken attended Cadiz High School where he participated on the basketball and track teams and played the French horn and trumpet in the band, then went on to Harding College in Searcy, Arkansas. On the morning of his wedding in 1956, he received a draft notice from the U.S. Army and served two years in the armed forces, stationed in Carmel, California and Colorado Springs, Colorado. After discharge from the Army, he started Mallernee Cabinet, a cabinet, paint and decorating shop, with his father in Cadiz, and continued to own and operate the business, along with his wife Florinne, until his retirement.

He was a member and elder of the East Warren Street Church of Christ in Cadiz, and regularly led the singing during services. As an avid singer, he performed, along with pianist Ila Walrath, at countless weddings and the International Mining & Manufacturing Festival Queen Pageant. He became well known for singing “The Lord’s Prayer” and singing duets with his daughter, Kim.

As a respected member of the community, he served as a Harrison County Commissioner, and as a member of both the Equitable Savings and Loan and the Harrison Community Hospital boards as well as working on real estate appraisals with the Harrison County Sheriff’s office.

He also enjoyed playing golf and traveled all over the Southeast to play golf with friends. As a long-time member of the Cadiz Country Club, he got to teach his grandsons to play golf and likely told a few jokes along with way. His love of cars, which began while owning a 50s Model T Ford, continued throughout his life. He was a devoted fan of OSU football and basketball and the Cleveland Browns.

In addition to his parents and his brother, Robert, he was preceded in death by his wife, Florinne Palumbo Mallernee on February 3, 2017.

Surviving are his daughter, Kim and her husband Paul Clark of Clinton, Ohio; his son, Ken Mallernee of San Diego, California; two grandsons: Matthew Clark of Columbus, Ohio and Jon Clark of Copley, Ohio; and his sister, Marlene of Duluth, Minnesota.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday, September 30 from 5-8p.m. at Clark-Kirkland-Barr Funeral Home, Cadiz, Ohio. The family asks that you wear a facial covering and observe social distancing. A private service will be held at the convenience of the family. Interment will take place at Cadiz Union Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made to: The Alzheimer’s Association in honor of his wife, Florinne, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601 .

The memorial guestbook may be signed at www.clark-kirkland-barr.com.