Thomas Kenning died attempting to rescue a girl from drowning, Porter, Indiana, June 27, 2022. The girl, 16, was wading in Lake Michigan when she was pulled away from shore and shouted for help. There were moderate winds at the beach, and the 67-degree water had rip currents, 4-foot-high waves, and fluctuating sandbars created unpredictable water depths. Kenning, 38, teacher, was at the beach with his family to explore the area and did not intend to go into the water because of the dangerous conditions. Kenning saw the teenage girl about 60 feet from shore and waded into the water and then swam toward her. Kenning got close to the girl and extended his hand to her, but was unable to reach her. The two were separated before a wave broke over Kenning and submerged him. Lifeguards arrived at the scene and removed the girl from the water. She swallowed water but was not injured. Kenning was spotted in the water about 15 minutes after he had entered, and lifeguards and other rescue personnel removed him . Kenning could not be revived; he had drowned.
92507-10361Obituary
Thomas Joseph Kenning, age 38 of St. Petersburg, Florida, passed away on Monday, June 27,
2022 in Porter, IN. He was born on May 26, 1984 in Crown Point, Indiana, to Dennis and Sharon
(Cantwell) Kenning.
He cared so much about the environment and preserving our beautiful earth. Thomas was a
wonderful author, teacher, son, husband, and father.
Thomas is survived by his wife, Jasmine (Abad) Kenning; daughter, Rory Kenning; mother,
Sharon Kenning; father, Dennis Kenning; sister, Laura (Erik) Saylor; his nieces, Emry Saylor
and Ele Grabinski-Abad and nephew, Ethan Saylor.
Thomas graduated from Wheeler High School and got his Bachelor’s degree from Indiana
University and his Master’s degree from American University. He loved his friends, family,
and students.