June
10, 1949 - Feb. 2, 2010SOUTH BEND - Kenneth D. Morse, 60, passed away on Tuesday, February 2, 2010, in his home after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born in Niles, Michigan on June 10, 1949 to Louie and Claudine (Bisby) Morse. Ken married the former Nora (Booker) on June 23, 1984, and she survives. He also is survived by three stepchildren, Julie Parrott and Jill (Jim) Vandewalle, both of Mishawaka, and Jeff (Kristi) Parrott, of Granger; six step-grandchildren, Zach Ryll, Mitchell Banks, Riley Vandewalle, Dylan Banks, Drew Parrott and Emily Parrott; and a sister, Louette Boller, of Michigan City. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Collette (Morse) Hanson. Ken graduated from Niles High School and Western Michigan University. He served in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Japan and Thailand, where he worked in communications. He was an advertising sales executive at the South Bend Tribune, where he worked for 34 years. He and Nora enjoyed sailing and camping on Lake Michigan. He loved spending time with the kids. He enjoyed collecting antiques. He was a talented drummer, an animal lover, a skilled bargain hunter, a Lone Ranger fan, and he had a wonderful sense of humor. A lifelong self-described "river rat," his latest passion was collecting and restoring outboard boat motors, and he published an impressive newsletter for the Michiana Outboard Boating club. Friends may visit with family for a memorial service Saturday from noon to 2 p.m. at Hahn Funeral Home. There will be a memorial service at 2 p.m. The family will honor Ken's wishes that he be cremated. Memorial contributions in his memory can be made to Center for Hospice and Palliative Care.