Michael Claude Kennedy, 66, of Soldier, died Thursday, October 19, 2017 at his home.

He was born July 1, 1951 the son of Robert and Hazel Bock Kennedy.  He graduated from Soldier High School in 1969.  He served in the U.S. Army from November 1971 to November 1973 and was stationed in Alaska.

Mike attended the Circleville Christian Church and was a member of Local 1290 Laborers.  He loved to farm, garden, and share time with the grandkids.

Working for Local 1290, he helped build Jeffrey Energy Center and later worked in maintenance there.  He was also a farmer and a stockman.

He married Mary Manning on August 11, 1979 in Topeka.  She survives, of the home.

Mike was preceded in death by his father, a brother-in-law, Denzel Long and a sister-in-law, Cathy Kennedy.

Other survivors include his mother, Hazel Kennedy; a son, Christopher Kennedy; a daughter, Michelle Dallas, and husband Jeremy, all of Soldier; two brothers, Tom Kennedy and wife Beverly, Silver Lake and his twin, Patrick Kennedy, Circleville; three sisters, Sue Kennedy, Topeka, Jeanne Long, Plano, TX and Karen Othmer and husband Treve, Topeka; and four grandchildren, Jeremy Michael Dallas, Kendra Mary-Kathryn Dallas, Logan Robert-Thomas Dallas and Khloe Grace Kennedy.

Funeral Services will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, October 27th at the Circleville Christian Church.  Burial with military honors will follow in the Olive HillCemetery.  Mike will lie in state starting Wednesday at the Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Holton.  A rosary will be prayed at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home, followed by visitation until 8:00.  Memorials are suggested to Honor Flight or Jackson County Friends of Hospice, and may be sent in care of the funeral home, P.O. Box 1034, Holton, 66436. On-line condolences may be made at chapeloaksfuneralhome.com