Lovelace "Ace" Kitchen, 98 of Waterloo, IL, born April 28, 1920 in Puxico, Mo. went to be with the Lord after a long and fruitful life, on Friday, October 26, 2018, at Oak Hill in Waterloo, IL. Ace was known as a teacher, scholar, author, businessman, and warrior. He was truly admired and enjoyed by all who loved and knew him.
Ace was preceded in death by his father and mother, Eldon and Viola; and brothers and sisters, Thedamay, Hugh, Eva Jane, Lynetta and Bill.
Ace is survived by his loving wife of 73 years, Helen; sons, Phillip (Wendi), Rodney (Connie), Rex (Carol); eight grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. He began his life in Puxico, Missouri in 1920 where he grew up in a large family and attended grade and high school. Ace served in Europe and Africa during World War II as a B26 Marauder crew member with Corbin's Crusaders. After the war he attended the University of Missouri graduating with a degree in Agricultural Sciences. During his career, he taught high school at Bloomfield in Stoddard County Missouri. He taught Sunday School to young people as a long time member of Concord Baptist Church in South County Missouri. Ace loved teaching to the end of his life. He then managed farms for Doane Agriculture Services for 30 years throughout Illinois and Missouri. After retiring from Doane he represented area farming communities as a successful real estate broker for a number of years. Ace's life was filled with many wonderful relationships both personally and professionally. Ace was always positive toward those around him and never had a bad thing to say about anyone. He is truly loved by both family and friends and has left us with a wealth of memories which will live on with all who have known him. We will miss him greatly.
Condolences may be expressed online at braunfh.com. Memorials may be made to the Oak Hill in Waterloo, Illinois.
Friends may visit from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, October 29, 2018 at Braun Family Funeral Home, Columbia, Illinois. Funeral services will be conducted at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 30, 2018, at the funeral home. Burial will be in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, Missouri.