TOPEKA — Kenneth Charles Herin, Overbrook, died Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, at the Kansas Rehabilitation Hospital, Topeka. He was 76.
He was born May 4, 1946, in St. Louis, Mo., the son of William and Bernice (Senyard) Herin. He grew up in Ferguson, Mo., and graduated from McCluer High School in 1964. He then served in the United States Army from 1966 to 1968 as a dog handler.
Ken was married to Karen Seals Dec. 19, 1966, at Fort Benning, Ga. Karen preceded him in death on March 2, 2001. He then married Patti Wechsler Dec. 28, 2002, at Overbrook. Patti preceded him in death on Aug. 28, 2012.
He had lived in Lubbock, Texas, Dodge City and Topeka before moving to rural Overbrook in 1995.
Ken 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 #239 at Overbrook, Rotary and Gideons. He had been a longtime member of Emmanuel Baptist Church, Topeka, and then Grace Community Church, Overbrook.
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, including camping, fossiling, hunting, fishing and canoeing. 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 and 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.
In addition to his wives, he was also preceded in death by his parents, William and Bernice, and by a daughter, Jaime McCoy on Sept. 13, 2022.
Ken is survived by his children, Greta Ann Herin (Diek Wheeler), Fairfax, Va., Greg Herin (Shannon), Overbrook, and Kirby Wechsler (Jill), Ellis; a son-in-law, T.J. McCoy, Osage City; his siblings, Fran Herin, Columbia, Mo., Norma Schwenk, Ferguson, Mo., Rebecca Toews, Chilliwack, British Columbia, Daniel Herin, Hazelwood, Mo., Debbie Meisenheimer, Olney Springs, Colo., Roger Herin, Ferguson, Mo., Steve Herin, Florissant, Mo., and Paul Herin, Ridgedale, Mo.; a brother-in-law, Kenneth Seals, Lake San Marcos, Calif.; 10 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Memorial services will be 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, at Grace Community Church, Overbrook. Inurnment will be in the Overbrook Cemetery at a later date. The family will receive friends from noon until service time at the church.
Memorial contributions be made to Gideons or The United States War Dogs Association, and sent in care of Feltner Funeral Home, 818 Topeka Ave., Lyndon, KS 66451.
Condolences may be left at FeltnerFuneralHome.com.
