Kenneth was born on August 29, 1923 in Chemung, Illinois to the late George and Florence (Maiden Name: Jeffrey) McRoberts. The family then moved to Janesville in 1929. Ken attended Dillenbeck School in Janesville and graduated from Janesville High School in 1941. He was employed by Gilman Engineering until entering the U.S. Navy on October 12, 1943. He served aboard the destroyer, USS Phelps in 4 battle zones, the Pacific, Atlantic and the Mediterranean for 15 months and aboard the aircraft carrier, USS Randolph for 15 months in Atlantic and Mediterranean. After his discharge from the U.S. Navy, Ken returned to Janesville and was employed by Gilman Engineering and Parker Pen. He was united in marriage on August 14, 1948 to Valerie C. Nelson at the Methodist Church in Johnson Creek. He then enrolled at Milton College and received his Bachelor’s Degree cum Laude in 1953 and then received his Master’s Degree from U-W Madison in 1959. Ken contracted with Janesville Public Schools to teach handicapped children at a high school level where he developed a work study program. After 10 years, he became a demonstration teacher at UW-Eau Claire. In addition he served as a psychologist for the Eau Claire County Youth Study. He was also Director of Christian Education at Lake Street United Methodist Church in Eau Claire. After 2 years he contracted with CESA 6 (Cooperative Education Service Agency) that was comprised of 19 school districts) as school psychologist and Special Education Director. He left that position to accept Director of Dane County program for handicapped children. He moved from that program after 7 years to take the Director of Special Education with the Medford Public Schools. Ken retired from that position after 8 years in 1986. He enjoyed woodworking, motorhome traveling, camping and was an avid reader. He was a former member of the Medford Public Library Board, school board election canvas, Chequamegon Bird Club, Boxrucker-Berry American Legion Post #519, Stetsonville, the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, American Association of Mental Disabilities, The Boy Scouts of America in Janesville and Eau Claire and Northernlights WITS (Motorhome Club).
Survivors Include: Wife: Valerie McRoberts of 67 years, of Medford; 6 Children: Jeffrey ( Brenda Germain) of New Richmond, Julie of Madison, Kenton Scott of Madison, Quentin (Lori) of Lodi, Ellyn Bartelt of Chippewa Falls and Sarah Buehler of Elk Mound and Winter. He is also survived by 12 Grandchildren and 15 Great-Grandchildren, Sister: Florence Schmidt of Rhinelander. Kenneth is preceded in death by his parents, Son: Martin Ross Mc Roberts in 1994, 3 Brothers: George, Wallace and Harold Mc Roberts and 2 Sisters: Elizabeth Keith and Lorraine McRoberts.
A Celebration of Kenneth’s Life will be held at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, October 1 at the Hemer Funeral Home, Medford with full military honors performed by the Boxrucker-Berry American Legion Post #519, Stetsonville. Pastor David Clements will be officiating. Visitation will be from 9:00 A.M. until 10:50 A.M. Thursday, October 1 at the Hemer Funeral Home, Medford. Cremainal Inurnment will take place in Medford Evergreen II Cemetery, Medford. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Kenneth’s family that will be made to the Medford Public Library. For online condolences please visit hemerfuneralservice.com
