Kenneth Wayne Cornelius was born on August 1, 1952, in Daviess County, Indiana, to Gordon Ray and Oneda Mae (Reynolds) Cornelius. Daviess County was the place he loved and proudly called home throughout his life. He shared 54 years and 2 days of marriage with the love of his life, Linda Bateman Cornelius. Together, they were blessed with two sons, Kyle (Megan) and Kade (Alicia), and five grandchildren, Campbell, Cash, Olivia, Landon and Camryn. Kenny was a complex and private man whose deep love and devotion to his family was evident to all who knew him.

Kenny graduated from Washington High School in 1970, where he excelled in athletics. He later continued his basketball career in college at Northwood of Indiana. The lessons he learned through sports stayed with him throughout his life and influenced the way he coached, raised his sons, and mentored many other people along the way.

As a teenager, Kenny played in a band that performed throughout the area, including at a prom in Illinois. Shortly after marrying Linda, he surprised her with a set of drums and announced that they were going to start a band together. That dream became The Coachmen. Blessed with a remarkable singing voice, Kenny later traveled to Nashville, TN where he recorded an original song alongside professional musicians.

Kenny began working in the watermelon fields with his father at a very young age, learning the business from the ground up. At just 20 years old, he became the youngest grower for Dal-Don Produce. Watermelon farming remained a lifelong passion where he thrived in the production and quality of his fields. Kenny and his sons raised melons for more than 50 years, with Kade providing the bulk of the workload for the last 15 years and will continue the legacy. In many ways, Kenny worked two full-time careers-one with the Indiana Department of Transportation, where he dedicated 38 years before retiring, and the other in the melon fields he loved so dearly.

Whether through his dedication to family, his love of music, his years of service, or his commitment to farming, Kenny leaves behind a legacy of hard work, perseverance, and devotion to the people and places that meant the most to him.

On May 29th, Kenny's hard work was finally finished as he left his earthly home and entered his eternal rest, surrounded by his family. Kenny is proceeded in death by his parents, Gordon and Oneda, and brother, Mark. He is survived by his wife, Linda and family Kyle, Megan, Kade, and Alicia, and 5 grandchildren, Campbell, Cash, Olivia, Landon, Camryn and his sister, Cindy (Terry) Meade.

Friends may visit with the family on June 8, 2026 from 1:00 pm until 5:00 pm at Goodwin-Sievers Funeral Chapel at 2020 State St in Washington. A funeral service for Kenny will follow at 5:00 pm at the funeral home.

Goodwin-Sievers is honored and privileged to be entrusted with the care of Kenny and his family.