Kenneth Raymond Hersh

Kenneth Raymond Hersh, 81 of Fredonia, Kansas passed away on Saturday, September 26, 2020. Kenneth was born in Neodesha, Kansas on July 3, 1939, to Emery and Nancy (Barks) Hersh.

Kenneth graduated from Neodesha High School in 1957 where he met his “lovely bride”, Gay Ann (Hancock) Hersh. Kenneth and Gay married on September 6, 1958. The couple moved to Washington, D.C. in 1960 where Kenneth was employed by the FBI. Upon returning to Kansas, Kenneth was employed by the city of Independence as a police officer. In 1962, Kenneth began his career as a Kansas State Trooper, and retired, after 28 years of service, from the Kansas Highway Patrol in 1990.

During his spare time, Kenneth enjoyed spending time with his family, helping his children and grandchildren with projects, golfing with friends, carpentry work, fishing with close friends and family, and tinkering in his garage.

Kenneth enjoyed helping others, and displayed the following quote near his computer, “I shall pass this way but once; any good therefore, that I can do or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer nor neglect it, for I shall pass this way but once.”

Kenneth is preceded in death by his parents, Emery and Nancy Hersh, sister, Mavis Casebourn, and twin brother, Keith Hersh. Kenneth is survived by his wife of 62 years, Gay Hersh, children, Theresa Houser, Mark Hersh, Jeff (Cathy) Hersh, and Tracy (Paul) Nefzger and sister, Fern (Ben) Studebaker.

Kenneth was very proud of his grandchildren, Scott (Rhonda) Lefferd, Brian (Jamie) Lefferd, Isaac (Jordyn) Houser, Samuel Hersh, Claire (fiancé Gerard) Hersh, Luke Hersh, Jessica Nefzger, Austin Nefzger, Caleb Nefzger, and six great-grandchildren, Lily Lefferd, Addie Lefferd, Sophie Lefferd, Ezra Lefferd, Ruby Lefferd, Abram Lefferd, Cora Lefferd and soon to arrive, Waylon Houser. Kenneth is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

The family will greet friends from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M., Wednesday, September 30, 2020 at Wickham Family Funeral Home, 510 North 7th, Fredonia, Kansas.

Graveside Services will be held 11:00 A.M., Thursday, October 1, 2020 at Neodesha City Cemetery, Neodesha, Kansas.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Kenneth’s name to the Keith Hersh Memorial Scholarship, Neodesha High School and they may be left or mailed to the funeral home.