Fred Kidwell
James Fredrick “Fred” Kidwell, 92, of Madison, passed away suddenly Wednesday, May 18th, at King’s Daughters’ Hospital in Madison.
He was born March 30th, 1913, in China, Indiana, the son of James Edward and Mary Myrtle (Green) Kidwell. He was a lifelong resident of Jefferson County. He was raised in the Ryker’s Ridge Baptist Church and later attended the Brooksburg United Methodist Church. He enjoyed attending all of the different churches and their functions.
He was united in marriage in 1931, to Margaret E. Tevis. Unto this union two daughters and a son arrived to bless their home.
He was a self-employed carpenter and wood worker all of his life and enjoyed building various homes and buildings. He also worked several years for the Indiana State Highway Department and the Charlestown Ammunition Plant. He loved to watch IU basketball and the Cincinnati Reds baseball.
He was an avid dancer all his life and enjoyed singing tenor. Early in life he sang with the “Tevis Quartet.” He enjoyed playing music, especially the fiddle, mandolin, banjo, piano and guitar. He enjoyed fishing, playing cards and especially his family. He was a member of the old Knights of Pythias Lodge in Brooksburg and was a member of the Jefferson County Senior Citizens.
Survivors include his daughters, Jo Wiley of Madison and Kay O’Neal and her companion Dicky Jones of Vevay; her son, Edwin “Buck” Kidwell and wife Clara of Madison; his grandchildren, Ce Ce Griffin and husband Cliff, Barry O’Neal and wife Georgette, Eddie Kidwell, Jr., Cheryl Mote and husband Ronnie; seven great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; his sister, Elizabeth Buchanan of Canaan; several nieces, nephews and other relatives.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Margaret E. Tevis Kidwell on February 12th, 1999; his son-in-law, Ronald L. Wiley on December 14th, 2000; his brothers, Grant Kidwell, Charles “Buddy” Kidwell, and Harold Kidwell; and his sisters, Georgia Adams and Louise Gutshell.
Funeral services were conducted Saturday, May 21st, by Reverend John Russell at Morgan-Webster-Nay Funeral Home in Madison. Burial was in Brooks burg Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Brooksburg United Methodist Church. Online condolences may be sent to the family via the funeral home’s website guest book at www.morganwebsternay.com.