Edward Lee Hearn, 88, longtime resident of Great Bend, passed away Monday, Oct. 28, 2019 in Burlington, Kan. He was born May 25, 1931 in Kingman, Kan., the son of Clarence and Ruby Cheatum Hearn. Edward attended Kingman High School and graduated with the Class of 1949.
He joined the United States Navy on July 29, 1950 and proudly served until receiving an honorable discharge on May 12, 1954.
While serving at Moffett Field in California, he met the love of his life, Wilhelmia Daye, while walking on the beach. They were married on Aug. 26, 1955 in Sherman Oaks, Calif. Wilhelmia preceded Edward in death on March 6, 2018. He was also preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Robert and Norman Hearn.
Edward worked as a UPS driver and later served as a police officer in Los Angeles before moving to New York where he worked in the ship yards. He eventually made his home in Great Bend, Kan., and drove a truck for Kaw Transport. He would go on to own and operate Hearn’s Tree Service for several years in and around the Great Bend area.
He was an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed being outdoors, mowing his yard or having a cup of coffee while bird watching from his deck. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
His memberships included the Trinity Lutheran Church in Great Bend, the NRA, and the National Arborist Association.
Edward will live on in the hearts of his sons, John (Cindy) Hearn of El Dorado, Kan. and James Hearn of Nickerson, Kan.; daughters, Judy Anne (Robin) Schick of Lebo, Kan. and Jeanette (Tommy) Bowen of Ridgeway, S.C.; six grandchildren, Lachelle (George) Spencer, Mike (Lynsey) Schick, Dallas (Kacey) Schick, Ashley (Alan) Vogel, Jamie Hearn and Evan Hearn; 13 great-grandchildren; and a host of extended family and friends.
Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Great Bend. Inurnment will follow services at Great Bend City Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Edward Hearn Memorial Fund and sent in care of the Jones VanArsdale Funeral Home at P.O. Box #43, Lebo, Kansas 66856. Condolences may be expressed at vanarsdalefs.com.
Funeral arrangements provided by
Jones VanArsdale Funeral Home
P.O. Box 43
Lebo, KS 66856
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Oct. 31, 2019
