Kenneth Charles Herin, 76, passed away on Thursday, February 2, 2023 at Kansas Rehabilitation Hospital in Topeka, Kansas. He was born May 4, 1946 in St. Louis, Missouri, the son of William and Bernice (Senyard) Herin.
Ken grew up in Ferguson, Missouri and lived in Lubbock, Texas, Dodge City and Topeka before moving to rural Overbrook 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 American Legion Post #239 at Overbrook, Rotary and Gideon’s. He had been a longtime member of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Topeka and then of Grace Community Church in Overbrook.
On December 19, 1966, Ken was married to Karen Seals in Ft. Benning, Georgia. Karen preceded him in her death on March 2, 2001. He then married Patti Wechsler on December 28, 2002 in Overbrook. Patti preceded him in her death on August 28, 2012.
Ken was also preceded in death by his parents, William and Bernice; and a daughter, Jaime McCoy, on September 13, 2022.
Ken is survived by his children, Greta Ann Herin (Diek Wheeler) of Fairfax, Virginia, Greg (Shannon) Herin of Overbrook, Kirby (Jill) Wechsler of Ellis, and TJ McCoy of Osage City; his five brothers and two sisters, Fran Herin of Columbia, Missouri, Norma Schwenk of Ferguson, Missouri, Rebecca Toews of Chilliwack, British Columbia, Daniel Herin of Hazelwood, Missouri, Debbie Meisenheimer of Olney Springs, Colorado, Roger Herin of Ferguson, Missouri, Steve Herin of Florissant, Missouri, and Paul Herin of Ridgedale, Missouri; his brother-in-law, Kenneth Seals (Lake San Marcos, CA); ten grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Ken was well known for his jovial and friendly nature. He has never known a stranger and has playfully engaged with anyone who crosses his path. He lived a life full of adventure, hospitality, generosity, faith and friendship. He loved the outdoors and fondly remembered camping, fossil hunting, hunting, fishing, and canoeing. He has hosted several “extra” children including five foreign students. Everyone was welcome in his house and around his table. He was a man of strong faith, a joyous and longtime member of his faith communities. He was loving, loyal, faithful, honest and optimistic. Many looked up to him as a hero: His family admired him for his service in Vietnam, and he served as a mentor and positive influence to countless people in his congregations, among his children’s friends, in the social service realm of KS, and in its wider community. large community.
Memorial services for Ken will be held on Saturday, February 18 at 1:00 pm at Grace Community Church in Overbrook. Interment will be in Overbrook Cemetery at a later date. The family will receive friends from 12:00 until church service time. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions from Gideons or the United States War Dogs Association, sent to Feltner Funeral Home, 818 Topeka Avenue, Lyndon, KS 66451. Online condolences for the family can be left at feltnerfuneralhome. com.
Published online February 14, 2023
Published in Topeka Capital Journal
