John E. Kile

“The Voice of the Roughriders” has been silenced. John E. Kile passed away quietly at home on September 29, 2018 in West Jefferson after a short battle with cancer. He was the son of Dr.James C. and Martha Kile and was the seventh of eight children. With the exception of a stint serving in the United States Army from November 1955 to August 1957, John lived in and served the community of West Jefferson. He was a 1951 graduate of West Jefferson High School, where he played football and basketball, ran track, and was a member of FFA. John served the community as a member of the West Jefferson Alumni Association (for which he served as president three times), Madison Lodge F&AM #221, the West Jefferson Businessman's Association, Kiwanis, Rotary, the London Area Chamber of Commerce, the Madison County Auto Dealers, the Madison County Fairboard, and the West Jefferson High School Athletic Association. For over 50 years, there were very few parades, horse shows, banquets, queen contests, or talent shows that he did not emcee. He was the voice of the Roughriders for 45 years, including broadcasting games on WLNO. On a larger scale, he was a representative to the Ohio National Road Association, a member of the Ohio Pinto Association, and Ohio Sector Director for the American Pinto Horse Association. He was the recipient of numerous service awards from each of those organizations and was probably most proud of having been inducted into the West Jefferson High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 1995. He was a Hudson aficionado and a Buckeye fan, but most of all, he was a Roughrider, win or lose.

He is survived by his wife Mary Lee, brother Kenneth (Betty) Kile, sister Sara Miller, daughter Lydia (Kirk) Keller, son Robert, and six grandchildren. Family will receive friends from 2-4 & 6-8p.m. WEDNESDAY at the RADER-MCDONALD-TIDD FUNERAL HOME, 1355 West Main Street, West Jefferson, OH 43162. Graveside Funeral Services will be held 11:00a.m. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2018 at Range Township-Sedalia Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family has asked that donations be made to the wonderful people at Loving Care Hospice of Madison County, 56 South Oak Street, London, OH 43130, www.lovingcare.us Please take a moment and share your favorite memory of John or send your condolences to the Kile Family on this website.