Obituary of Steven Murray Kendall

Steven Murray Kendall (Pete), 48, of Ormond Beach, FL, formerly of Fairmont, WV, passed from this life on February 6, 2023, in Daytona Beach, FL, after a long and courageous battle with Huntington’s Disease, a genetic illness for which there is no treatment or cure. He was born February 21, 1974, in Fairmont, WV, to the late George Robert Kendall II (Bucky) and Margaret Murray Kendall Rider of Fairmont. Steve graduated from East Fairmont High School in 1992 where he was active in various sports as well as the Busy Bee Band. He was a member of 4H for most of his youth. Steve was most proud of his service in the United States Army during which he served one tour of duty in Kuwait and two tours in Iraq. Steve donated over 2,000 hours of service to Habitat for Humanity. He was a gifted woodworker and artist prior to his illness. He loved all animals and aspired to become a veterinarian after he completed his active duty. He is survived by his loving wife and full-time caregiver, Janice Lauman Kendall, of Ormond Beach, FL. It was because of her dedicated care and attention that he was able to remain at home during his last few years. A special thanks to Kathy Winter, his CNA and care assistant, who became one of Steve and Janice’s best friends. She, on her personal time, assisted Janice with taking Steve on many outings. Steve is also survived by his mother, Margaret Rider (Tom Crusan), Fairmont, WV; his brother, Shane Murray (John Dent), Fairmont, WV; step children: Kristina Cerny (Joe), Sterling, VA and April Feldbruegge (Jeremy Boss), Ormond Beach, FL; step grandchildren: Madison Walton, Sterling, VA, Aurora Feldbruegge, Ormond Beach, FL and Sterling Boss (due any day), Ormond Beach, FL; aunts: Linda Hearn (Clarence), Lexington, SC, and Pam Blair (Danny), Worthington, WV; great aunts: Marie Delimpo, Fairmont, WV, and Kathy Onderko, Fairmont, WV; special family friend, Stephen Dicken, Fairmont, WV; several cousins, and Steve’s beloved furry friends, Addy and Kamikaze. In addition to his father, Steve was preceded in death by his mother-in-law, Betty Fretz Lauman; maternal grandparents, William F. and Ellen E. Murray; maternal great grandmother, Myrtle Colebank, and paternal great grandmother, Theresa Sabo. The family will receive friends at Ford Funeral Home, 201 Columbia St., Fairmont, WV 26554, on Sunday, February 19, 2023, from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m. and on Monday, February 20, 2023, from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. The funeral service will be held in the funeral home on Monday, February 20, 2023, at 11 a.m. The family will be meeting at the funeral home on Tuesday, February, 21, 2023, at 12 noon to travel in procession to the committal service at the West Virginia National Cemetery in Pruntytown where full military rites will be conducted by the Marion County Veterans Council. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.fordfuneralhomes.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Steve’s memory to: Huntington’s Disease Society of America, 505 Eighth Avenue, Suite 902, New York, NY 10018, HDSA.org or Marion County Humane Society, PO Box 905, Fairmont, WV 26554, MCHSWV.com.