Kenneth Donald Nanfelt, 83, of Middleboro, Massachusetts, passed away from heart-related conditions on Monday, December 14, 2020.
Born on January 11, 1937 in New Jersey, Kenneth was the eldest of the three children of Alfred and Alice (Moreland) Nanfelt (Heimburger). He married Adele Nystrom Nanfelt, his wife of nearly 63 years who passed away this past June. Together Adele and Ken raised three children, Lee Nanfelt, Kay (Nanfelt) Burklin, and Scott Nanfelt. He was a proud grandfather of nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Ken was raised in Middleboro, Massachusetts, where his father led him to faith in Christ as a boy. He attended Wheaton Academy (IL), where he met Adele, who accompanied him as a choir soloist. They both attended Wheaton College (IL) and settled in southeastern Massachusetts in 1957, where they raised their three children in Lakeville.
Ken was a larger than life person, generous and entrepreneurial in spirit. Known for his outgoing nature, Ken shared the Gospel everywhere he went, in music, church, and business. Adele was Ken’s favorite accompanist in music and in life, but in his twenties Ken travelled as a soloist with evangelist, Jack Wyrtzen, of Word of Life, singing weekly on Mutual Network. He served twenty-six years as lay Pastor at Mullein Hill Church (now Cornerstone Community Church) and was an interim pastor at several others. Ken’s business ventures included Nanfelt Furs, a mink farm and fur shop, and Delken Laundromat and Dry Cleaning.
Ken loved people, music, and the Gospel. After Adele passed away, Ken returned to Middleboro and kept in touch with friends and family, including his great-grandchildren on both coasts and in Munich, Germany. He loved to study the Scriptures, listen to his favorite preachers and classical music, and share family photos. He was known for meeting everyone around him wherever he went, whether at the gym or the diner. He was scheduled to lead Christmas carols this Sunday at Central Congregational Church in Middleboro, recalling the song, Ring the Bells, of his early 1960s gospel album.
Ken was preceded in death by his sister, Jane (Nanfelt) Scripps and his wife, Adele (Nystrom) Nanfelt. He is survived by his brother, Ronald Nanfelt, three children, and their families.
Drive-by time condolences for Ken’s family will be held on Sunday, December 20 from 1:00-3:00 pm at Cornerstone Community Church in Lakeville. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a small, private memorial service will be held separately at the original Mullein Hill Church, where he will also be laid to rest.
A recording of the memorial service may be provided upon request to centralcongregationalchurch@gmail.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be given to the Missions Fund, c/o Central Congregational Church, Middleborough, Massachusetts.
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