Kenneth P. Holland

Mr. Kenneth Paul Holland, age 94, went to be with his Lord on Sunday, September 20, 2009 at the River Ridge Retirement Village where he resided. He was born April 8, 1915 in Taylorville, Illinois to Charles and Ruth (Rudolph) Holland. Kenneth and his family moved to Gary, Indiana when he was three years old. He attended Froebel High School where he participated in several sports and other activities. He graduated from Froebel in 1934. He came to South Haven in the summer of 1934 to find work; during this time he met Laura Foster. They were married in 1935 and to this union three children were born. He brought with him his love of sports; and along with others, they founded an all Black basketball team. They called themselves the Globe Trotters and played against the South Haven Industrial League.

Kenneth was employed at Bohn Aluminum from 1943 to 1981. he enjoyed participating in the company’s basketball and softball teams for many years. While at Bohn he worked in the quality control department as an inspector of pistons. Kenneth was a coach for the girls and boys little league softball team. Also, he coached the men’s baseball team for the local chapter of the NAACP winning the championship on 1960. In 1944 Kenneth became a member of Emmanuel Community Church; where he retained his membership until his death. Kenneth truly loved his church as demonstrated by his participation as the Sunday School Superintendent, Sunday School teacher, member of the Steward Board, and chairman of the Trustee Board for many years and the church Liturgist. Kenneth was well known and respected by people throughout the surrounding communities. He will be missed by all.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister,-Maureen, brother-Charles Jr., his wife-Laura, and his daughter-Jeanette Harkey.

He is survived by his son-Kenneth Jr. of Temple Hills, Maryland; his daughter-Naxie (Charles) Holland-Bradley of South Haven, MI; and four grandchildren, Robin Sobotker, Gregory Holland, Laura Holland of Maryland, and Greg Howard of Wyoming, MI. He has tree great-grandchildren; Dion Sobotker, Christopher Sobotker, and Hannah Oostdyk-Howard and two great great grand children. He is also survived by his cousins, nieces and nephews and a host of friends.

A visitation will be held Thursday, September 24th from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Emmanuel Community Church. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. at Emmanuel Community Church with Pastor Darwin Johnson and Maurice Harley officiating. Burial will take place at Lakeview Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society, American Kidney Fund, South Haven Hospice at Home, or We Care of South Haven. The family will be located at 748 Kentucky Ave., South Haven; we will appreciate your visit, if you choose to come. Kindly share your thoughts and memories on the family’s online guest book at www.FilbrandtFFH.com.

The family is being helped by the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home of South Haven 637-0333.