TIFFIN, Ohio — Kenneth Wayne Abbott, 77,  Tiffin, died Friday, Feb. 6, 2009, at Blachard Valley Hospital, following a lengthy illness.

Mr. Abott was born March 17, 1931,  the son of William and Myrtle (Rodgers) Abbott in Pontotoc, Miss. He married VaNell Parker, April 13, 1951,  she is deceased. On May 11, 1978, he married Iris Sargent, and she survives.

He worked at Tiffin Metal as a supervisor for more than 30 years, where he designed safety devices for machines. He also designed a series of lifts and hydraulics for Galion Heavy Equipment for more than 10 years, and he did all of this without any formal college education.

To keep busy, he worked at Seneca Memory Garden for more than five years as a groundskeeper.

He was an avid fisherman who loved everything outdoors, especially gardening and taking great care of his roses and trees.

He was always there for his neighbors, but most importantly he was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and a friend to so many. He taught all of his children that, “a job worth doing, is worth doing well."

The Rev. Sam Suman will officiate. Burial will be at St. Mary Catholic Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to FACT or to Trinity United Brethren Church.

Letters of condolence may be sent and the guest book signed at hgmackfuneralhome.com.

Survivors also include five daughters, Shirley Munson and husband, James of Bradenton, Fla., Bert Abbott of Lewiston, Mich., Fran "Franki" Donelson of Muscatine, Ann Nanamaker and husband, Fred of Findlay and Marty Heldman and husband,  Daryal of Tiffin; two sons, Bill Donelson and wife, Becky of Brighton, Iowa, and Steve Donelson of Gainesville, Va.; a sister Pauline Watts of Pontotoc, Miss; 18 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents; first wife, VaNell; a son, David Charles Donelson; a brother, Ocie Abbott, and a sister, Melba Montgomery.