Orval Aldrich Hejny, 89, of Great Bend, died Sept. 22 at Central Kansas Medical Center, Great Bend. He was born Nov. 25, 1920, in Barton County, at the farm of his parents, Aldrich and Rose (Serpan) Hejny. A graduate of Hoisington High School, he served his country during World War II in the U.S. Navy as a Petty Officer Third Class on the battleship USS Idaho and Petty Officer First Class on the destroyer escort USS Connally DE-306. He farmed and raised registered polled Herefords.

Mr. Hejny was a member of the Galatia Co-op for four terms and was president of the board for two terms. He also served on the Grant Township Board for four terms, was a member of the Registered Polled Hereford Association, Registered American Hereford Association, life-member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, a life-member of the American Legion, Destroyer Escort Association USS Connally DE-306, and USS Idaho BB-42 Association.

He married Betty Smith Nov. 16, 1953, at Great Bend. She died June 16, 2005.

Survivors include daughter and son-in-law, Sharon and Charles Satterfield, Great Bend; daughters, Debbie Tammen, Great Bend, Rita Hejny, Oklahoma City, Okla., and Diana Hejny, Great Bend; six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; one brother, Lloyd Hejny; and one grandson, Matt Tammen.

Graveside services will be at 2 p.m., Monday, Sept. 27, at the Great Bend Cemetery, with military honors by the United States Navy Honor Guard. The Rev. Tom Sheldon will officiate. Friends may call from 1-9 p.m., Sunday, with the family receiving friends from 7-8 p.m., and from 9:00 a.m. to noon, Monday, all at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorials are requested to Golden Belt Home Health and Hospice or Great Bend Senior Center, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Bryant Funeral Home*

1425 Patton Road

Great Bend, KS 67530

(620) 793-3525

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Sept. 23, 2010