Kenneth J. Bainter, 78, of Sparta, died Sunday, December 2, 2007 at Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Tomah. He was born on October 15, 1929 in Doe Run, MO to Clarence and Rosie (Sauerwien) Bainter. He married Dorothy Leotta Bullen on August 13, 1955 in Sparta.

     Ken served in the US Army from March 22, 1951 to June 30, 1972. He served during the Korean and Vietnam War, receiving campaign medals with the Bronze Star. He made his home in Sparta after retirement and was employed at Fort McCoy. Ken was a member of VFW Post 2112, Sparta Eagles Club, and American Legion Post 100. He was also Grand Chancellor of the Knights of Phthisis and assisted to raise money for Cerebral Palsy.

     He is survived by his wife, Dorothy of Sparta; his children, John Sr. (Edie), Kenny Ray (Holly), Dori Tasker, and Jimmy (Candi) all of Sparta; step children, Donald (Julie) Wesselman of Poplarville, MS, William (Myrna) Wesselman of Rochester, MN, and Janice Turnmire of Sparta; 11 grandchildren; and 9 great grandchildren.

     He was preceded in death by his parents; 4 brothers, Earl, Marvin, Frank, and Clarence; and a sister, Rosie.

     Funeral services will be Thursday at 11 a.m. at Lanham-Miller Funeral Home, Sparta. Burial will be in Cataract Cemetery, Cataract.

     Family and friends are invited to call at the Lanham-Miller Funeral Home, Franklin Street entrance, on Wednesday from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. and at the funeral home on Thursday from 10 a.m. until time of services.