ADVANCE, Mo. -- Kenneth J. Emerson, 79, of Advance passed away Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017, at Advance Nursing Center.

He was born April 18, 1937, in Oran, Missouri, the son of Raymond and Florence Baker Emerson.

Kenny retired after 25 years as the manager of MFA in Advance. He was mayor of Advance from 1988 until 1993.

He was a 32nd degree Mason of the Scottish Rite, and he was a past master at the Advance Masonic Lodge. He was a member of the Lakeview Lodge 489 of Bell City, Missouri.

He was a member of Advance First Baptist Church.

Kenny and Monnie O'Neal were united in marriage July 6, 1955, at Hernado, Mississippi, and she survives of the home.

Survivors include his wife, Monnie Emerson; a son, Kenneth J. (Debi) Emerson Jr. of Boynton Beach, Florida; a daughter, Kimberly (Lonnie) Daniel of Advance; a sister, Becky (Kenny) Rodgers of Morley, Missouri; four grandsons, Jacob Daniel of Jackson and Cody Emerson, Chris Emerson and Josh Adams, all of Boynton Beach; and six great-grandchildren, Jasmine Daniel, Layla Daniel, Brianna Patrick, Skylar Adams, Aiden Adams and Brantley Adams.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Raymond Emerson Jr. and Ray Gene Emerson; and three sisters, Juanita Isaacs, Anita Freed and Debra Skaggs.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Morgan Funeral Chapel in Advance. Masonic rites will be at 5:30 p.m.

A funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the chapel, with the Rev. Eric Shrum officiating. Burial will be at New Cemetery of Morley.