Kenneth L. "Ken" "Kenny" Myers
November 1, 1946 - July 13, 2025

Ken was born in Zalma, MO on November 1, 1946.  In his early youth, Ken moved to Marble Hill, MO and was a bright, curious young man and graduated from Woodland High School in 1964.  Kenny attended Southeast Missouri State University and graduated in 1968 with degrees in Business Administration and Education - High School.  Then, Ken taught one year at Hillsboro High School before joining the U.S. Army where he spent time in Ft. Leonard Wood, MO prior to tours in San Antonio, TX and Seoul, South Korea.

Honorably discharged in 1971, Ken taught Typing and Business at Waterloo (IL) High School.  During his tenure at Waterloo, Ken met his wife-to-be, Shirley May, a German teacher.  Ken and Shirley were married in 1973 and had a son, Clifford, in 1975.  During this time, Ken's banking career began at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis where he thrived until 1979, earning an MBA from Saint Louis University. He then accepted a position as Auditor and Controller at Union National Bank and Ken, Shirley & Clifford moved to Macomb, IL.  Although Ken and Shirley divorced in 1982, they remained amicable until Shirley's passing in 2004.

In 1983, Donald L. Sturm purchased Union National Bank; in short order, Ken was named President, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chairman of the Board of Directors.  Ken was a hard working, ethical and extraordinarily successful banking executive.  During the mid to late 1980s, Ken was a Corporate and Civil Titan of West Central Illinois - serving as President of the United Way and MAIDCO (now MAEDCO) in 1986.  In 1987, Mr. Sturm purchased American National Bank in Cheyenne, WY; Ken was named President, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors.

In August 1990, Mr. Sturm purchased Cherry Creek National Bank, which had failed as a bank, and re-named it The Bank of Cherry Creek in Denver, CO; Ken was named President, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors.  During the early 1990s, Mr. Sturm and Ken worked together to perform due diligence on many failed Savings and Loans, several of which were purchased by Mr. Sturm, reopened as national banks and run by Ken.

Ken retired - for the first time - in May of 1992.  In 1993, moved back home to Southeast Missouri, first living with his mother, Elnora, in Marble Hill & then, in Cape Girardeau, for several years.  During this time, Ken enjoyed many years of fishing, travel and spending time with friends and family.  Also, and perhaps, most importantly, it was during these years that Ken discovered a passion for wine and began collecting fine wine, subject to the requirement that a bottle were clear to be a great value.

In 2006, Ken resumed his banking career at Heartland Bank in Clayton, MO.  Mr. Sturm re-hired Ken in 2009 as Chief Credit Officer at American National Bank (now ANB Bank) in Denver, CO.  Ken's second stint in Denver working for Mr. Sturm and his wife, Susan, was the crowning achievement of his banking career - partnering with ANB Bank to recover from the 2008 economic crisis.

Ken stood witness to Clifford's marriage to Varsha de Silva Myers in Las Vegas, NV on May 24, 2009.  He loved Varsha as she were his own daughter and supported Cliff and Varsha's marriage in every way.

Ken retired for good in 2018 and, once again, moved back to Missouri.  This time, Ken spent countless hours maintaining and paddling around in his pool and enjoyed closely following financial markets, especially tech stocks, curating and growing his wine collection, the occasional poker session and talking with friends and family.

Ken often introduced himself as "a poor ol' country boy" - a humble man with humble beginnings - the house that Kenny grew up in had an outhouse for a time and Kenny loved animals and was particularly fond of Clifford & Varsha's dogs, Joey and Bama.

During Ken's second retirement, he enjoyed a close relationship with his older brother, Franklin, who preceded him in passing, as did his beloved mother, Elnora.

Kenny had a full and fulfilling life and was loved by many.  Those who knew him, know that Ken was a passionate father and loved Clifford so very much.  Kenny had many friends throughout his life, especially his oldest and dearest friends from Marble Hill, MO, Mary Ann Greer Frerker & Linda Deevers Groover.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a charitable donation to Youth In Need "In Memory of Ken Myers" at https://www.youthinneed.org/giving-volunteering/donate/ .

Kenny was a good man and will be missed.

Ortmann Stipanovich Funeral Home
www.osfuneralhomes.com