Age 78, of Newark, DE, passed away at Christiana Hospital on Saturday, November 7, 2015.Born in East St. Louis, IL, Ken was the son of the late Everett and Argie (Counts) Lutes. He served his country proudly in the US Marine Corps during the Korean War where he was seriously injured and was awarded the Purple Heart and Silver Star. He later served in the US Army in Germany. Ken was a Sheriff's deputy with Madison County Illinois for several years. He worked as a heavy equipment operator for 46 years and was a member of Employers & Operating Engineers Local 520 until his retirement in 1999. While working for Local 520, Ken got his auctioneers license and worked often with Davis & Sons for 8 years. A Shriner, he worked closely with children's hospitals. He was a 32nd Degree Mason. Ken was a fine carpenter and made beautiful children's furniture along with many other furniture pieces. He owned a furniture store where he sold the items he made himself and antique furniture. He also owned KL Tree Service.He will be dearly missed by his wife of 9 years, Karen M. (Moore) Lutes; his daughter and son-in-law, Erin and Marc Wienner of Wilmington; his sons, Thomas Grant of Richmond, VA and John and his wife Debra Grant of Wilmington; his grandchildren, David and Amanda Wienner, Jennifer Leigh Wienner, Jennifer Rae McClatchey, TJ Grant, Jordyn White, and Ryleigh Grant; a great nephew who he loved as a grandchild, Zachary Samero; and eight brothers and sisters.You are already terribly missed and always will be.Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Wounded Warriors Project at woundedwarriorsproject.org or at PO BOX 758517, Topeka, KS 66675. MealeyFuneralHomes.com (302) 652-5913