Kevin Lewis Whitford, age 71 of Jonesdale, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, November 6, 2026 surrounded by his loving family after a 4-month battle with cancer.

Kevin was born at the General Hospital in Dodgeville, WI on February 14, 1955, the son of Gordon and Marian (Volden) Whitford. He went to the one room Jonesdale School House through sixth grade, graduating from the Mineral Point High School in 1973. He was a member of the Bethel United Methodist Church in Waldwick Township.

Kevin met his forever partner, Lynn Forbes, in Ridgeway in 1982. They were married in Dodgeville on October 30, 2015 and have one daughter, Misty Dawn.

Kevin grew up farming on his family’s farm. After graduation, he worked at Wick Buildings, did carpentry work, Walnut Hollow, and ended his working career at Lands’ End after 20 plus years as a Maintenance Technician.

Kevin was a member of the Jonesdale Sportsman’s Club. He was a jack of all trades and had many hobbies. In his early years, he enjoyed bowling, golfing and snowmobiling. His yearly trips to Idaho or Colorado elk hunting later in life turned into family hiking and sightseeing trips in Colorado. His main love was fishing, be it Salmon-A-Rama tournaments or going to his trailer in Ferryville. Kevin also enjoyed hunting, trapping, woodworking, leather work, trap shooting and going to the Rendezvous. Kevin built a little loft cabin on his property that housed all the Rendezvous equipment that he made such as rope beds, a candlelit chandelier and candle lanterns. He made many of his family’s Rendezvous clothing from tanned deer hides. He enjoyed UTVing and grew a large garden, along with a nice sweet corn patch and a popcorn patch.

Kevin is survived by his loving wife, Lynn (Forbes) Whitford; their daughter Misty (Chris) Weitzel; grandchildren Tayvnn, Londyn and Whitney (who Papa called Gabby). He is further survived by his daughters Mary Anne (Ashley) Gibbs and Danielle Whitford; grandchildren Dylen, Ally, Dale, Joseph, Casey, Kaysha, Hailey and great grandchildren Ryverlyn, Zyren, Bailey and Everly all of California; his brother Paul (Shari) Whitford; his mother-in-law Bernice Forbes; his sisters-in-law Connie (Scott) Hurd, Cathy Dobson, Sue (Ed) Schmid; his brothers-in-law Sam (Susan) Forbes, Kim (Angie) Forbes, Donnie and Ronnie Forbes. He is further survived by many nephews, nieces, great nephews, great nieces, relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Gordon and Marian; his son Jeremy; his father -in-law Russell Forbes and his sister-in-law Dena Huseth.

The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses at St. Mary’s Hospital and at Madison Radiology. A big heartfelt thank you to Upland Hills Hospice for the exceptional care you gave Kevin, along with all the kindness and guidance you gave his family throughout this difficult journey. You made it possible for us to keep Kevin at home. We would also like to thank all of our family and friends that helped us in any way during Kevin’s illness, also for the many visitors and prayers.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 17, 2026, at the First United Methodist Church in Mineral Point WI. Pastor Carter Jorgensen will officiate. A visitation will be held on Monday, November 16, from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. at the Gorgen McGinley & Ayers Funeral Home in Dodgeville and on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at the church. The Gorgen-McGinley & Ayers Funeral Home is assisting the family.