Kenneth Bidwell, Sr.

Kenneth Wesley Bidwell Sr., 88, went peacefully to be with our Lord on February 8, 2022 with his loving wife, Bonnie by his side. Ken was predeceased by his parents, Floyd and Hazel Bidwell; his wife of 51 years, Joyce Settle Bidwell; two brothers, Oscar and Sheldon Bidwell; three brothers-in-law, Carlton and Erwin Settle, and Fred Brown; three sisters-in-law, Doris, Antoinette (Nan) and Frances Bidwell. Ken is survived by his loving wife Bonnie Ochse Bidwell; his children and their families, Dianne and Thomas Davies, Chemung, Doreen and Bill Townsend, Whitney Point, Ken Jr. and Karen Bidwell, Conklin, Michelle Bidwell, Endicott, Melody and Shayne Fedoris, Endicott; two step-children and their families, Joshua and Joy Ochse, Binghamton, Sara and Nicholas Walsh, Binghamton; 13 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; three brothers and a sister-in-law and their families, Lew, Clifford, and Larry and Ruth Bidwell; two sisters-in-law, Barbara Bennett and Bette Brown. Ken is also survived by 56 foster children, whose lives were touched in so many ways. Ken was a graduate of Elmira College (M.S.), the New York State Police Academy, and the F.B.I. Academy. He served in both the Air Force and Air Force Reserves where he received his pilot’s license. Ken chose a career in law enforcement, serving the Village of Endicott Police Department for 25 years and rising to the rank of captain. After retirement from the police force, Ken worked as a security officer for Lockheed and became an ordained minister. Ken found his calling, ministering to the homeless and to inmates at Elmira Correctional Facility. He even officiated the marriages of several of his children and grandchildren. In his final act of service, Ken chose to donate his body to Upstate Medical University for medical research. The family would like to thank the wonderful, caring staff at Good Shepherd-Fairview Rehabilitation and Nursing for their exceptional care of Ken during his rehab. A celebration of Ken’s life will be held 1:00 pm, Saturday, February 12, 2022 at Crossroads of Life Church, 18 Exchange Street, Binghamton, NY, with Reverend Dann Travis officiating. Because of Ken’s life-long service to community, the family asks that in lieu of flowers, friends wishing may make memorial donations to Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306, in memory of Kenneth Bidwell, Sr. To forward condolences please visit www.demunn.com. Arrangements for the family are directed by the DeMunn Funeral Home.