Kenneth Heim

Kenneth Edward Heim, 93, passed away March 10, 2013. The visitation will be held Friday, March 15th from 5:30-7:00 PM with a Celebration of Life service to follow at 7:00 PM at Shawnee Park Christian Church, 16500 Midland Drive, Shawnee Mission, KS 66217. There will be a private family burial at Chapel-Hill Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Shawnee Park Christian Church or to Talking Books, both in care of the Church at 16500 Midland Drive, Shawnee Mission, KS 66217.

Kenneth was born October 11, 1919 in Worden, Kansas to Frederick Heim and Mary Lucille Barnes Heim. He attended the Kansas State School for the Blind at age 7, where he graduated high school. Following high school, he attended Bethany College where he graduated in the early 1940's. Kenneth returned to the School for the Blind as an educator, where he worked for over thirty years, retiring in 1973. During this time, he received his master’s degree from KU in 1963. Kenneth began tuning pianos in high school and continued until he was 88 years old. He also worked at Jenkins Music Company. Many people in the Kansas City and Lawrence areas would only have Kenneth tune their pianos. Kenneth was a member of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and lastly a member of the Shawnee Park Christian Church.

Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents, Frederick and Mary; his first wife, Ruth Heim; and his 2 brothers, Donald and Ramond Heim. He is survived by his second wife, Stella Hendee-Heim of the home; children, Valerie Heim, Kenna Heim, Donna Rose-Heim, Ralph Heim; step-children, Robert Hendee, Ronald Hendee, and Rebecca Hendee-Tempel; eleven grandchildren, six step-grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and 2 on the way. He is also survived by his sister; Florence Heim-Dodder. Kenneth will be missed by all who knew his loving and caring heart.