Kenneth Eugene Myles

Kenneth Eugene Myles passed away May 20, 2026.

Ken was born in Chicago April 26, 1932, son of Michael Myles (an immigrant from County Kildare, Ireland) and Ursula Myles. He grew up in Downers Grove, IL and graduated from North Central College in Naperville, IL with a BA in Chemistry and Mathematics. While acting as publisher of the yearbook, he met Helen “Jean” Oran (to whom he was married 63 years).

Ken earned his BS in Chemical Engineering from Illinois Institute of Technology and served in the US Army Counter Intelligence (CIC).

He then started a career in industrial management. He was a general superintendent of a paper mill, production manager of a molded fiber plant, and manager of a chemical plant. His career ultimately led him to Southeast Missouri.

He shifted careers in 1970, forming Ken Myles Enterprises and soon owned an insurance agency and started developing residential and commercial properties. He immersed himself in both.

As an insurance agent, he obtained multiple designations: CLU (Chartered Life Underwriter), CIC (Certified Insurance Counselor) and LUTCF (Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow). He taught insurance sales, licensing, and continuing education classes for over 40 years and served as President for both the Cape Girardeau Association of Independent Agents and Cape Girardeau Life Underwriters Association.

As a property owner and talented contractor, he did many of the renovations and repairs himself.

Ken enjoyed traveling (particularly to Ireland to spend time with his cousins), flying (proud to be instrument rated), and building things (including an organ in his hotel room when he first moved to Missouri).

Service to others was an important part of Ken’s life. He dedicated himself to the Shriners, helping raise hundreds of thousands for free medical care for crippled children. He helped co-found the Cape Shrine Club and later served as its president. He served as Potentate (head) of the Moolah Shriners and its 7500 members in eastern Missouri. He was member of the Board of Governors and Missouri State Director of Donor Relations for the Shriners Hospital in St Louis. He enjoyed participating in local parades, popping wheelies on his moped, or riding in a golf cart with his beloved dog, Cookie.

He also served as president and active member of the Southeast Missouri Boy Scout Council, the Cape Girardeau Executives Club, and the Cape West Rotary Club and was a member of numerous other organizations.

His wife, son Daniel Myles and great grandson Griffin Murphy predeceased him. He is survived by his children: Barbara Myles, Dr Thomas Myles (Rosa), Stephen Myles (Terry) and Susan Corbin (Scott), his grandchildren: Christopher Myles, Elizabeth Corbin, Randy Myles (Alexis), Michael Myles, Angela Corbin, Catie (Brent) Murphy, and Sofia Myles, and his great grandchildren, Parker Myles and Colson Myles.

Visitation from 1:00 -2:30 at McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson (640 W Independence Street). Celebration of Life at 2:30.

Donations can be made in his name to the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital in St Louis. Send to Moolah Shrine, 12545 Fee Fee Rd, St Louis, MO 63146.