Douglas O. “Doug” Hein, 34, died May 14, 2016, at Great Bend Regional Hospital. He was born April 4, 1982, in Great Bend, the son of Don and Sheila (Spatz) Hein.
Doug started his school life at Berean Christian School in Great Bend, changing to USD 431, Hoisington, in fourth Grade. He graduated from Hoisington High School in 2000, and then attended Salina Vo-Tech and graduated with a degree in HVAC. He worked for Werth Heating and Air and later for Geo Search, in Great Bend. Doug then went to work for RCL out of Benbrook, Texas. He graduated from Kansas Law Enforcement Academy in Hutchinson, and became a patrolman for Great Bend Police Department. He was currently working for C&E Door in Great Bend.
Doug was full of life, loving people, and working well with children. He was a handyman and had good work ethics, always going the extra mile when called upon. He loved spending time with his best friend and brother Shawn. He also loved hunting, fishing, shooting targets, sports, and spending time with family and friends. Doug loved his dogs, especially Elvis, Lady, and Cyrus. He also loved his “adopted” grandparents, Emanuel and LuElla Miller who cared for him when he was young.
He was baptized and confirmed as a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church. Doug was also a former member of the FOP and the NRA.
He met, fell in love with, and married Tonya Sullivan. They were married at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, in Hoisington, on July 14, 2007. Together they raised Tonya’s daughter, Paige Raven Byerly. Earlier this year that household increased with Keisha Briggeman, Tonya’s oldest daughter.
He leaves to mourn his passing; his wife Tonya Hein of Great Bend, stepdaughters, Paige Byerly, and Keisha Briggeman of the home; stepson, Keith Briggeman of Pratt; his parents, Don and Sheila Hein of Hoisington, mother-in-law, Bernadine Sullivan of Great Bend; brother, Shawn Hein of Bartlesville, Okla.; sister-in-law, Tammy (Sullivan) Zumalt and husband Kenny of Springfield, Missouri; and a brother-n-law, Delbert Barlow of Great Bend; uncles and aunts, Jim and Cindy Balthazor of Russell, John and Julie Hein of Hoisington; cousins, Joelle Jacobs, Jensen and Jozie Jacobs, Teryn Yarmer and husband Neal, Aiden and Brinley Yarmer, and numerous other cousins.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents; Dave and Elvina (Michaelis) Hein, Ben and Geneva (Quick) Spatz, Aileen (Wilson) Spatz; cousin, Kirk Balthazor; and father-in-law, Harold W. Sullivan.
Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, May 20, 2016, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Hoisington, with Rev. Shelly Klingensmith presiding. Burial will follow in Hoisington Cemetery. Friends may call 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday. Family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., with a prayer service at 7 p.m., at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Golden Belt Humane Society, or Great Bend Library or Hoisington Library, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.nicholsonrickefh.net
Funeral arrangements provided by
Nicholson - Ricke Funeral Home **
P.O. Box 146
Hoisington, KS 67544
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, May 17, 2016
