Kenneth (Ken) Countryman was born on December 5, 1935 in St. Johnsville, New York to Kenneth B Countryman and Dorothy Youker Countryman and passed on December 10, 2024. He attended St. Johnsville High School, enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1959, and reported to basic training at Sampson Air Force Base. In 1966, he married Gretchen Loesch and made their first home in Adana, Turkey. Louis was born in 1967, and Eric joined the family in 1970.
Ken worked as a Civil Servant/Flight Line Supervisor at O’Hare Air Reserve Station for over 20 years. After 37 years in the Air Force, he retired as a Chief Master Sergeant. In 1987, Ken and Gretchen bought Gretchen’s Hallmark in Glendale Heights, IL and operated it until 2000. He was an avid golfer (five hole-in-ones), a card player, a fisherman and a woodworker. In 2010, Ken helped build the Countryman family one-room schoolhouse museum here in Brooksville.
In addition to Gretchen, his wife and sons Louis (Marcia) and Eric (Lisa), he is survived by grandchildren, Andrew, Michael, Matthew, Victoria, Alexis, Evan, Kathryn and Riley, as well as Aunt Harma Wagner, many nieces, nephews and cousins. He is predeceased by his parents and his siblings Evadean and Jay, Jerry and Doug Countryman.
A celebration of Ken’s Life will be held at 1 PM on January 4, 202,5 at the High Point Community Center (12249 Clubhouse Rd., Brooksville, FL 34613). All are welcome. The family requests that those who wish to express sympathy, please consider making a donation to their favorite charity or the Hernando Historical Museum Association/Countryman One-Room Schoolhouse in Brooksville, FL in honor of Ken.