Kenneth Slater

Kenneth Lloyd Slater, age 75, of Beaver Island, Michigan, died peacefully in his sleep on October 7, 2017 at his home, surrounded by loved ones.

Ken (and his twin brother, Keith) were born to Guy and Beatrice (DeHaven) Slater in Sterling, CO. He was married to the love of his life, Loretta LaFreniere on Sept. 30, 1972.  Their only daughter, Brooke, was born in 1974. The family lived in Lansing and later in Dewitt, before retiring to Beaver Island.

Ken enlisted in the Air Force when he was just 16 years old (fibbing about his age because of his desire to serve his country).  He was ranked an Expert Marksman and was awarded the Air Force Longevity Award.  Ken was a Master Sergeant in the Air National Guard, and proudly served as part of the ROMAD’s Special Forces Tactical Air Support Team out of Battle Creek. He often enjoyed recounting stories of the comradeship he experienced during that time. He was awarded the State Distinguished Service Medal and The State Legion of Merit Award. He retired from the Michigan Air National Guard in 1991. He was later recalled to service, and served in a training capacity during Desert Storm. Ken earned three Associate Degrees and in his early years, was a tool and die maker at General Motors in Lansing, MI . Later, he was promoted to Process Engineer before his retirement in 1995.

In 2002, Ken and Loretta moved to Beaver Island, MI where Ken was an active member of AMVETS Post 46. He loved flying, boating, target practice with his daughter and grandkids, fishing, traveling, and was an avid reader. He had a special love of all things sweet, and would eat his desert before dinner whenever possible. His view was “Why not eat the best part first?” Much to the joy of his family, Ken was recently Baptized into the Catholic Faith.

He is survived by his wife, Loretta, daughter Brooke Phillips, grandchildren Slater, Grant and Cate Phillips, his brother, Dean Slater, brother-in-laws Alvin, Glen and Mark (Jacque) LaFreniere, sister- in-laws Sandy (Pete) LoDico, Judy (Rick) Hansel, Joan Banville, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.  Ken was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, Keith and Darrell Slater, and brother-in-law, Bob Banville.

Visitation and a Rosary will be held at Holy Cross Catholic Church on Beaver Island on Friday, Nov. 3 at 7 p.m with a Rosary to follow at 8pm. A funeral mass will be said on Saturday, Nov. 4 at 11:00 a.m., with Father Jim Siler officiating. Internment and a special AMVETS salute will take place at Holy Cross Cemetary. A luncheon will be held at Holy Cross Catholic Hall after internment.

In lieu of flowers, Preferred memorials may be given to the Beaver Island Rural Health Center, P.O. Box 146, Beaver Island, MI 49782 or to aid Hurricane and Earth Quake relief victims through United Way Worldwide at United Way Worldwide 701 N. Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA  22314. (703)836-7112

Arrangements are being handled by the Winchester Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes.