Kenneth Lee Sayre
Kenneth Lee Sayre, 92, of Zanesville, Ohio, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, September 30, 2026.
Ken was born June 5, 1934, in Zanesville, the son of the late Edgar and Mary Glenn-Sayre. He was the loving husband of 67 years to Gretchen Schnabel Sayre, whom he married on October 3, 1959, and a devoted brother to James and Robert Sayre.
A 1952 graduate of Lash High School, where he served as class president, Ken went on to attend The Ohio State University, playing baseball for two years before enlisting in the United States Army. He served two years of active duty during the Korean War and, following his honorable discharge, returned to Ohio State, where he earned his bachelor’s degree from the Fisher College of Business.
Ken found his calling in sales, working for a number of concrete companies over the course of his career. He retired from Top Cat Concrete after 34 years of dedicated service.
A proud Mason of Amity Lodge No. 5, Ken held numerous leadership roles, including serving as a District Deputy for the State of Ohio. He was also a member of the White Shrine of Jerusalem, where he served as Watchman of Shepherds at the national level. Ken was a faithful member of Trinity United Presbyterian Church in Zanesville, where he served as a Deacon and Session Member and loved singing in the church choir on Sunday mornings.
Above all, Ken treasured time with his grandchildren. For him, summer was not complete until he had treated the grandkids to their annual Clippers game in Columbus, a tradition they will carry with them always.
In addition to his wife, Gretchen, Ken is survived by his four children, Lorinda Deegan (Michael), William Sayre (Kathy), Hope Emery (Bob), and Kenny Sayre; his eight grandchildren, Zach Durfee, Sam Durfee (Jenny), Haley Sayre, Zane Sayre (Kayla), Josie Sayre, Rachel Klise (Robby), Victoria Sayre, and Morgan Emery; and his eight great-grandchildren, Raegan, Grace, and Maddie Durfee, Sophia, Zoe, Luke, and Leo Durfee (Aliana), and Wrenley Sayre.
Friends and family may call on Monday, October 5, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at BOLIN-DIERKES FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY, 1271 BLUE AVENUE, ZANESVILLE. A Masonic Service will begin at 12:45, with funeral services officiated by Pastor Geoff Geyer beginning at 1PM. Burial will follow at Zanesville Memorial Park, where military honors will be performed.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Christ’s Table or Shriners Hospitals for Children in Ken’s memory. The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff of Shriver’s Hospice for the loving care and support they provided to Ken and his family.
