Ken Hagedorn

So many hearts touched by God through the positive, loving soul of Ken Hagedorn. Ken passed away, at home, surrounded by family on Jan. 7, 2018 from complications of congestive heart failure and Parkinson's. Anyone who had the pleasure of being introduced to Ken, was instantly touched by his loving heart. He leaves behind family, so many friends, neighbors and coworkers with hearts fuller from the blessing of knowing him.

Ken was born on February 20, 1941 in Cincinnati, OH. He is survived by a loving family who remember his caring, joking and always positive, family centered heart, including, his loving wife and high school sweetheart, Nancy; three children, Scott, Jeff and Julie (Doug); four grandchildren; August and Kai (Hagedorn), Jack and Katie (Thornton); one brother, Dave (Pat), along with his family of friends. Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Ken and Edith Hagedorn of Cincinnati, OH.

Ken Graduated from Mt. Healthy high school in Mt. Healthy, OH in 1959. He was awarded 14 Varsity letters in track, football, basketball and baseball. He was named to the Mt Healthy high school athletic hall of fame. He attended the University of Cincinnati where he was awarded a scholarship to play baseball, which he did for four years. He graduated with a Bachelors degree in business.

Prior to moving to Elkhart, IN, Ken worked in Human Resources for Avon Corp., Cincinnati Gas & Electric and Heekin Can Corp. Ken and his family moved from Cincinnati, OH to Elkhart, IN in 1978, where he continued his HR career at Riblet Products (10 years). He then started his own consulting firm, Hagedorn, Inc (25years). He spent the last year and a half working for Himco Waste Away. Ken was on multiple boards, including; ADEC, YMCA, EACC, CAPS, Elkhart Chamber of Commerce, SCORE, United Way, Church Community Services, Big Brother/Big Sisters, TUMC (SPRC) and Saving Grace. In his spare time Ken enjoyed signing in the church choir and playing trumpet in New Horizons Band. Ken was instrumental in starting a youth soccer program through the YMCA in 1979. He also, helped start the soccer programs with Elkhart Central and Memorial high schools in 1984.

Ken will always be remembered for his strong faith in Jesus. He lived and walked as close as humanly possible to the way our Lord Jesus has asked us to do so. He lived this out every day through his positive attitude, gratitude for the simple things in life and desire to connect in a real/meaningful way with friends and family making him an amazing friend, brother, grandfather "Poppy", father "Pop", “Charlie” and husband.

The family will receive friends from 10 am to 1 pm Saturday, Jan. 13th at Trinity United Methodist Church where a memorial service will begin at 1 pm. Pastor Tim Burchill will officiate.

Ken’s wishes were that donations be given to Saving Grace at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 405 W. Beardsley Ave. Elkhart, IN 46514 or The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, P.O.Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741 . Online condolences may be sent to www.stemmlawsonpeterson.com.