ELLINWOOD — Kenneth Secrist, 97, died May 27 at Woodhaven Care Center in Ellinwood. Born May 12, 1915 in Linn County, he was the son of James Walter and Jenni Pearl (Robbins) Secrist. On July 29, 1938 he married Leila Jene Burris in Augusta. She died on July 25, 1998. An Ellinwood resident for sixty-five years coming from El Dorado, he was a teacher with his first teaching job at Manter. He came to Ellinwood to teach in the high school, then was principal for Ellinwood Junior High. He retired from teaching and bought the H & H IGA in partnership with Nick LoBurgio.
Mr. Secrist was a member of the Immanuel United Church of Christ in Ellinwood. He was an active church delegate, a charter member of Ellinwood Lions Club, a former Boy Scout leader, Ellinwood Junior Chamber of Commerce, and IGA Association and was a referee for all sports across central Kansas.
Survivors include one daughter, Leila Kay Campbell and her husband Junior James of Abbotstown, Pa.; one grandson, Kenneth James Campbell and his wife Tammy of Rockville, Md.; three great-grandchildren, Crista Kay Campbell, James Anthony Campbell, and Matthew Thomas Campbell. He was preceded in death by one brother, Lester Secrist; and two sisters, Ruby Edwards and Muriel Flick.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday at the Immanuel United Church of Christ in Ellinwood with the Rev. Katrina Palan officiating. Burial will be at 3 p.m. on Friday at Elmwood Cemetery in Augusta. Friends may visit from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., with the family receiving friends from 1 to 2 p.m. and from 7 to 8 p.m., on Thursday at Bryant Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials contributions to Ellinwood District Hospital or Great Bend Noon Lions Club Sight Project, in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net

Funeral arrangements provided by
Bryant Funeral Home*
1425 Patton Road
Great Bend, Ks. 67530
Great Bend (Kan) Tribune, May 30, 2012