Obituary

Larry Gene Herl, 51, a well known educator in the Halstead, Bentley and Sedgwick schools, died Saturday, February 8, 1992 at his home in Halstead. He was born January 29 1941, at Hays, son of Barney and Ida M. Ruder Herl. He received his bachelor's and master's degreesd from Fort Hays State University and a special education degree from Wichita State University. He married Alma Schenk at Hays on August 10, 1963.

Following his graduation from Fort Hays in 1963, he taught at Downs, Kansas from 1963 to 1966 and at Waconda, Kansas from 1966 to 1972. He and his family moved to Halstead in 1972 where he taught fifth and sixth grade and was the Chapter 1 reading coordinator and summer school coordinator for Halstead Grade School. In 1975 he became the fifth and sixth grade teacher and part-time principal at the Bentley Grade School, a position he held until the end of the 1978-1979 school year, resigning to devote full time to a construction business in which he was a partner. He served on the USD 440 board of education for one term, 1981-1985.

In January of 1987 he accepted a teaching position in the Sedgwick schools, teaching math in the upper elementary grades. He was in his second year as principall of Sedgwick R.L. Wright Elementary School at the time of his death.

Education was so much a part of his life that his family, in expressing their appreciation to friends and family for their support, said he would have wanted everyone to learn a lesson from his illness and death;" Love your friends, love your family, love your God. Time is precious so whatever you do, live your life to the fullest."

He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Halstead, where he served as organist for several years.

Survivors: wife of the home; two sons, Lt. Brandon Herl, Fort Bliss, Texas; and Damon Herl, of the home; daughter, Allison Kilian, Russell; three brothers, Leander Herl, Colorado Springs, Colorado; Laurin Herl, Plainville and Tom Herl, Dallas; three sisters, Frances Diehl and Lila Staab, both of Hays and Orie Haas, Colorado Springs.

Rosary was Sunday evening at the church. Funeral mass was celebrated Monday morning at the church. Burial was in the Halstead Cemetery. Memorials may be sent to the Pipe Organ Fund at the church.