Kenneth W. Kradel, 79, of Butler died at 1:55 p.m. Wednesday at the Butler Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Born in Butler County, Dec. 29, 1926, he was the son of Elmer and Wiletta Fretz Kradel.

He was an alumnus of Butler High School and received a bachelor of arts degree from Grove City College in 1949.

He retired as the owner and operator of Kradel's Greenhouse. He previously had worked at Armco-Butler Works.

Mr. Kradel was a member of the Meridian United Presbyterian Church, where he belonged to the Men's Club. He also was a member of the Meridian Vets Club and the MORA Club.

He was an Army veteran of the Korean War and enjoyed traveling and gardening.

Surviving are his wife, Ethel C. Sloan Kradel, whom he married Jan. 28, 1958; a daughter, Mrs. Donald (Alice) Warnick of Butler; a son, Thomas Ziminski and his wife, Patty, of Swanton, Ohio; three grandchildren, Marcia Goehring, Michele Jurysta and Dennis Warnick; and two great-grandchildren, Matthew Goehring and Hallie Jurysta.

He also is survived by two brothers and three sisters, William and Richard Kradel, Mrs. Dolores Marshall, Eleanor Kradel and Mrs. Margie Cihonski, all of Butler; and a number of nieces and nephews.

A son, Ronald Kradel, preceded him in death.

KRADEL — Friends of Kenneth W. Kradel, who died Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2006, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the THOMPSON-MILLER FUNERAL HOME, 124 E. North St. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Meridian United Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Stephen Cahoon officiating. Burial will be at Butler County Memorial Park, Butler Township.Information is also available at www.thompson-miller.com.