Kenneth James Painter, 86, of South Buffalo Township, Freeport, entered heaven's gates, Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023, at home, surrounded by his family, after a long battle with dementia. He was born Feb. 19, 1937, in Tarentum, the son of the late Kenneth Floyd Painter and Marie Wilson McGee Painter. Ken was a graduate of Har-Brack High School in 1955. He enlisted in the Navy in 1956. He was discharged for medical reasons that same year. He attended and graduated from The Bailey Technical Schools for Diesel-Gasoline Engine Mechanic, St. Louis, Mo., in 1959, and Pittsburgh Diesel Institute for Advanced Professional Truck Driving in 1993. Through the years, he was employed by Carnegie Mellon, Saxonburg, working with the atom smasher, Air Products, and Alcoa in New Kensington, where he retired in 1993. After retirement, he did long-haul truck driving for Victory Trucking and drove school bus for W.L. Roenigk Inc. in Sarver. He loved Jesus and wanted everyone to know and love Him too. He enjoyed family time, summer camping trips, walking in the woods, particularly at night in the snow, and practical jokes. He also loved all animals, especially feeding the birds and his cats. He is survived by their children, Kenneth Ralph (Karen Laux) Painter, of Worthington, Ericca Leigh Painter (Thomas) Haynes, of Franklin, Shannon Marie Moretti (Paul) Wiser, of Butler, and Joshua James (Gretchen Ulisky) Painter, of Dayton; his grandchildren, Colleen Haynes (Michael) Cable, of Franklin, Meghan Haynes, of Akron, Ohio, Ian Haynes of Franklin, Ella Moretti, of Butler, and Shealyn and Carter Wiser, of Kittanning; great-granddaughters, Abby, Aaliyah and Ally Cable, of Franklin; also survived by sister, Marilee (David) Johnson, of North Huntington; brother, John Charles (Kathy Tanel) Painter, of Lexington, Ky.; brother-in-law, William (Nancy Faulkman) Lynch, of Derry, N.H.; and sisters-in-law, Betty (Ralph) Lynch, of St. Johns, Fla., and Sandy (Lewis) Lynch, of Black Lick, Ohio. Also, he is survived by many nieces, nephews and all his many friends who will miss him dearly. He was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Mary Ann (Lynch) Painter; his parents; and in-laws, Ralph Huffman Lynch and Hilda Mary Porter Lynch. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 27, at REDMOND FUNERAL HOME, 524 High St., Freeport. Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28, at Redmond Funeral Home, officiated by Pastor Roy Gearhart, of Galloway Methodist Church, Franklin, Pa. Burial will be private at Mt. Airy Cemetery, 2800 Old Freeport Road, Natrona Heights. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to: Orphans of the Storm, 11878 PA-85 East, P.O. Box 383, Kittanning, PA 16201. www.orphansofthestorm/PA.org. To send a condolence, visit www.redmondfuneralhomeinc.com.