OVERBROOK, Kan. – Kenneth Charles Herin, 76, passed away Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, at Kansas Rehabilitation Hospital, Topeka, Kan. He was born May 4, 1946, in St. Louis, Mo., the son of William and Bernice (Senyard) Herin.
Ken had grown up in Ferguson, Mo., and had lived in Lubbock, Texas, and Dodge City and Topeka before moving to rural Overbrook, Kan., in 1995.
Ken graduated from McCluer High School in 1964, and then served in the United States Army from 1966 to 1968 as a dog handler. He had worked for the state of Kansas as a wildlife biologist. After retirement, he was a transportation driver for children’s services with KVC and TFI. He was a member of the American Legion Post No. 239, Overbrook, and Rotary and Gideon’s. He had been a longtime member of Emmanuel Baptist Church, Topeka, and then Grace Community Church, Overbrook.
On Dec. 19, 1966, Ken was married to Karen Seals, at Ft. Benning, Ga. Karen preceded him in death March 2, 2001. He then married Patti Wechsler, Dec. 28, 2002, at Overbrook. Patti preceded him in death Aug. 28, 2012.
Ken was also preceded in death by his parents, William and Bernice; and a daughter, Jaime McCoy, on Sept. 13, 2022.
Ken is survived by his children, Greta Ann Herin (Diek Wheeler), of Fairfax, Va., Greg (Shannon) Herin, Overbrook, Kirby (Jill) Wechsler, Ellis, Kan., and T.J. McCoy, Osage City, Kan.; five brothers and two sisters, Fran Herin, Columbia, Mo., Norma Schwenk, Ferguson, Rebecca Toews, Chilliwack, B.C., Daniel Herin, Hazelwood, Mo., Debbie Meisenheimer, Olney Springs, Colo., Roger Herin, Ferguson, Steve Herin, Florissant, Mo., and Paul Herin, Ridgedale, Mo.; brother-in-law, Kenneth Seals, Lake San Marcos, Calif.; and 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Ken was well known for his jovial and friendly nature. He never knew a stranger, and engaged in a teasing way with everyone in his path. He lived a life full of adventure, hospitality, generosity, faith, and fellowship. He loved the outdoors and fondly recalled camping, fossiling, hunting, fishing, and canoeing trips. He hosted several “extra” children, including five foreign exchange students. Everyone was welcome in his home and around his table. He was a man of strong faith, a long-term and joyful member of his faith communities. He was loving, loyal, faithful, honest, and optimistic. Many considered him a hero. His family looked up to him for his service in Vietnam, and he served as a mentor and positive influence for countless people in his congregations, among his children’s friends, in the Kansas social services realm, and in his broader community.
Memorial services will be 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, at Grace Community Church, Overbrook, Kan. Inurnment will be in Overbrook Cemetery at a later date. The family will receive friends 12 p.m. until service time at the church.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Gideons or The United States War Dogs Association, sent in care of Feltner Funeral Home, 818 Topeka Ave., Lyndon, KS 66451. Condolences can be left at feltnerfuneralhome.com.
