Joseph Edward Kearnes

October 4, 1932 - January 7, 2015

Mr. Northern Kentucky Highway Joseph Edward Kearnes Joseph Edward Kearnes was born October 4, 1932 in Campbellsville, Kentucky to James Wade and Mary Robert Kearnes. Joe was a civil engineer for the Kentucky Department of Transportation for 40 years. He graduated from Campbellsville High School in 1951 and was president of his class during all four years of high school. He was very popular and participated in many activities during his high school years, especially sports. He played basketball and his team went on to the state finals. He also played baseball during high school and he played for the University of Kentucky baseball team. He was an avid golfer and won many tournaments. He loved the outdoors, loved animals and made sure that they were always fed. He was a Kentucky Colonel and belonged to the Masonic Lodge in Liberty, Kentucky. He was a natural born leader, a veteran, serving two years in the Army in Germany. He belonged to the Florence United Methodist Church where he once served on many committees. He was a member of Quail Hollow. After graduating from the University of Kentucky College of Engineering he came to Northern Kentucky during the time that the interstates were starting to be built. He worked in construction, materials, operations and planning and then was appointed as the Chief District Engineer, holding that position from 1983-1999. He held that tenure longer than any other person in the state of Kentucky. He was inducted into the University of Kentucky College of Engineering Hall of Fame. He was united in marriage to Joan Vanlandingham on June 16, 1962 and they have been married for 52 years. To this union was born one daughter, Kathy Jolene. He was preceded in death by his parents, James Wade and Mary Roberts Kearnes, and a sister, Betty Benningfield, all of Campbellsville. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Joan Kearnes; a daughter, Kathy Jolene Kearnes; a sister, Pat Phillips (Randall); one niece, two nephews, and four great nephews and many cousins. Visitation for Joseph will be held from 11am-2pm on Monday, January 12 in the chapel of the Eckler-McDaniel Funeral Home, Dry Ridge. Funeral Services for Mr. Kearnes will be conducted 2pm, Monday, January 12 in the chapel of the Eckler-McDaniel Funeral Home, Dry Ridge with Rev. C.W. Clos officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in the HillCrest Cemetery, Dry Ridge.