Kenneth L. Heichel, age 88, of Madison passed away Friday, December 26, 2014 at his home. He was born May 4, 1926 in Mansfield, OH to Anna (nee Bricker) & E. Ray Heichel. He married Eloise Rausch in Plain City, OH on September 10, 1955.

Kenneth was a 1944 Graduate of Mansfield High School and Ohio University. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and in Korea. Kenneth had been an art teacher at Madison High School for 30 years. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Madison and a former member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Geneva where through his labor of love, he designed and created a hand carved 20 foot wood replica of the Lord’s Supper, intricate stained glass windows & lighting throughout the church. He was a devoted servant of the Lord and was very active in many facets of the church. Kenneth had award winning rose & sculpture gardens and was a member of and State Judge for the American Rose Society and N.E. Rose Society.

He is survived by wife, Eloise “Ellie” Heichel; sons, Steven (Lori) Heichel of Overland Park, KS, Dennis (Cheryl) Heichel of Albany, NY, Eric (Lisa) Heichel of Oxford, England; grandchildren, Stephanie, Christopher, Matthew, Amber, Todd, Jillian, Olivia, Robert and Tyler; great-grandchildren, Paul & Ellie, and brother: Jack Heichel of Mansfield, OH.

Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Kimberlee Coolbaugh; brothers, Alden and Gene Heichel, and sister, Ione. Friends will be received 2-4 Sunday, December 28, 2014 at THE BEHM FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 26 River Street, Madison, OH.

A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Monday, December 29 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 6345 Chapel Road, Madison. Rev. Charles Althoff will be officiating.