CW3 Kenneth Ray Lain, age 72, of Custer Park, IL passed away unexpectedly Friday, May 14, 2021 at St. James Hospital in Pontiac, IL. He was born May 11, 1949 in Joliet, IL to the late Ray Hudson and Fay Myrtle (nee Cunning) Lain. He graduated from Reed-Custer High School with the class of 1967. Soon after, he joined the military and proudly served with the United States Army, enlisting in 1968 and eventually retiring in 1990, earning the rank of CW3. He was a member of the VFW  Post #5422 in Wilmington, IL and lifetime member of the 82nd Airborne Division Association. After retirement, he continued working for a brief period of time for the Des Plaines Conservation Area and also enjoyed taking care of all of his little critters around the homestead. He loved all of his animals, but his pride and joy was his dog, Bud. Some of his other favorites were his horses, Dixie Chick and Coal; goats, Arizona and Madeline; mini donkeys, Penelope and Bart; and lastly, his cat, Jessie. He also enjoyed his antique tractors, which were a Case SC and a John Deere A. Ken was a bigtime history buff. He was the guy to go to who could answer anything about the subject. For those who knew him, you know he was a kind and patient man. His light will be missed, but it will never be forgotten. Surviving are his wife, Doris A. (nee Hayes) Lain of Custer Park, whom he married November 30, 1996 in Gardner, IL; son, David (Diane) Carter of Wilmington; daughter, Lea Sawyer of San Antonio, TX; grandson, David “D.J.” (Johanna Sandeno) Carter; two great-grandchildren, Lucas Jacob and Brayden Williams Carter; niece, Jenny (Mike) Campbell of Mazon, IL; two nephews, Anthony (Heather) Dedo of Wilmington and David Dedo of TX; two special great-nieces, Emily and Abby Beck; and many other great-nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death were his parents; maternal grandparents, James and Margaret Cunning; sister, Kathie Fay (Wendell) Dedo (11/20/1986); and grandson, Cody Jacob Carter (3/12/2013). Visitation for Kenneth was at the R.W. Patterson Funeral Home and Crematory Tuesday, May 18, 2021 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m., with the funeral services beginning at 1 p.m. Interment with military honors followed in Custer Township Cemetery, Custer Park, IL. For more information and to visit his online guestbook, please log on to www.rwpatte rsonfuneralhomes.com or find us on Facebook.