NEWTON — Larry Mann Hesed, 66, died peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Friday, Nov. 4, 2011 at his Newton residence. 
He was born August 26, 1945 in Elkhart, Ind., the son of Clifford and Helen (Ebersole) Mann. He is a graduate of Goshen College in Goshen, Ind. On August 9, 1975, he married Laurie Wilson in Sacramento, Calif., and she survives. When they were married they chose the Hebrew word Hesed, which means “God’s mercy and loving kindness,” and also “fidelity.” 
He is a longtime member of the Bergthal Mennonite Church in rural Pawnee Rock and attended the Shalom Mennonite Church in Newton. He retired from Heartland Farm in rural Pawnee Rock as a farmer and maintenance worker. Larry touched many lives as a peace activist and community worker in central Kansas and Colorado Springs, Colo.
After college, he taught at a school for juvenile delinquent boys in Michigan. He also substitute taught, drove a bus, coached and refereed basketball games. He was the scholar’s bowl coach for Otis-Bison schools for many years. He was the founder and director of the Victim Offender Reconciliation Program in a five-county area of central Kansas.  Larry enjoyed sports, puzzles and bird watching.  His family was very important to him, and he enjoyed spending time with his loving wife, children and many friends.
Larry is survived by his wife Laurie Wilson Hesed, Newton; his mother Helen Mann, Goshen, Ind.; two sons and their wives: Joel and Julie Hesed, Holton; and Kyle and Christy Miller Hesed, College Park, Md.; a daughter Kezia and her husband Jason Ramey, Wichita; and two sisters, Lois Eberly, Ft. Wayne, Ind.; and Margaret Steinet, Goshen, Ind.
He is preceded in death by his father Clifford Mann and two brothers: Robert and John Mann.
A funeral service is scheduled at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 7 at the Bergthal Mennonite Church in rural Pawnee Rock with Pastor Lynn Schlosser presiding.  Private family burial will be at the Bergthal Mennonite Church Cemetery. 
The family suggests in lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Mennonite Central Committee.

Funeral arrangements provided by
Petersen Funeral Home *
215 N. Main Street
Newton, KS, 67114
Great Bend (Kan) Tribune, Nov. 6, 2011