Kenneth Earl Alber

Kenneth E. (Kenny) Alber, age 43, entered into eternal rest on May 23, 2015, after fighting a fierce 12 year battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease). Beloved husband of Darcy Alber (nee: Shaver), cherished Dad of Joshua Alber and Kency Alber, father of Letha Colter, Poplar Bluff, MO, dear son of Teresa (Michael) Welsch of O'Fallon MO and the late Kenneth P. Alber and big brother of Amy (Joseph) DiLorenzo, O'Fallon MO, uncle of Matthew and Mikey DiLorenzo, son-in-law of Dennis and Joan Shaver, Chesterfield, brother-in-law- of Gail (Stevens) Elsner and Autumn Stevens and the late David Stevens, uncle of David Michael Stevens II, Lake St. Louis. He worked in new home construction for the The Jones Company, and was a member of Laborer's Local 110. He was a life-long resident of Florissant, graduating from McCluer North High School in 1990. His dedicated caregivers took charge of him for years: dear longtime friends Robin, Steve, Lindzey and Luke Cima, Carrri Baltas, Rich Schneider, Kim Gallagher, Cecelia and Jay Schaefner, caring professionals Michelle Robinson, Carla Worley, Tiffany Yancey who became his good friends, The family is grateful for their loyalty to Kenny and their capable skills taking care of him as he fought this devastating disease. Kudos also to the West County council of Beta Sigma Phi and North County Divorced Catholics. Both organizations hosted several successful major fundraisers. Kenny was a great guy to be around...he enjoyed life, was handsome, had a twinkle in his eye, and engaging smile, a hearty laugh, a remarkable wit and wonderful sense of humor. He made fun for and with everyone! His best friends enjoyed his company...many from his school days are still here with him today. He loved music, loved to dance and was the life of a party. He had a happy childhood with an adoring and wise mother and went through the usual highs and lows of growing up successfully with her devoted guidance. He loved his little sister, Amy, and as usual with big brothers, was her advocate and protector and sometimes (often?) her nemesis and annoyer. Just being siblings, right? He loved the outdoors, camping and sun tanning. He was the poster boy for "man with a tool belt". He could build, fix, repair just about anything to do with keeping up a home. He found out during his illness he was a pretty good computer nerd, connecting with ALS friends around the globe. His true dedication was to his family. He loved his wife Darcy and kids Josh and Kency, unconditionally...they were the axis that made his world turn. His unremitting desire to stay home with them after his ALS diagnosis was the reason for forming The Kenneth Alber Foundation, Inc., established to raise money to combat the unbelievable costs for care of an ALS patient and to keep him at home where caregivers were partially MO State funded, and had to be supplemented with private pay dollars. Many other medical needs were also "out-of-pocket." over 12 years literally hundreds of you contributed and supported fund-raising efforts that allowed Kenny his greatest wish...to stay home with his family. THANK YOU! And stay home he did. Even when ALS left him paralyzed, unable to speak and reliant on equipment to breathe and eat, he was a presence to be reckoned with. He attended many of Josh's ball games and Kency's dance recitals, the Rascals games, fundraisers, concerts at Verizon, just being outdoors (he supervised all planting of flowers and veggies!) He loved his life. Until May 23rd, when he was taken to Christian Northeast Hospital ICU where he passed away with his cherished wife, Darcy, and dear mom and good friends at his side. He won so many battles, but he finally lost the war. He was much loved , admired and respected. He'll be sorely missed and never forgotten. Kenny donated his brain stem and spinal cord to Washington University School of Medicine for ALS research. He was truly "one of a kind." Funeral Services are Friday, May 29 at 10:00am at HUTCHENS Mortuary, 675 Graham Rd., Florissant. Interment Sacred Heart Cemetery. Visitation held Thursday, May 28 from 4 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Kenneth Alber Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 492, Chesterfield MO 63006, memo note: ALBER CHILDREN'S FUND, appreciated.

Kenneth Earl Alber

October 22, 1971 - May 23, 2015