Kenneth Falls

FALLS, Kenneth Russell, age 84, of Overland Park, Kansas formerly of Osawatomie, Paola, Kansas and Palmdale, California died Friday, November 1, 2013 at the Cypress Springs Alzheimer’s and Memory Support residence in Overland Park.  Kenneth was born February 22, 1929 in Wichita, KS. He was the second child of three born to Angell Lofton and Lucia Gladys (Long) Falls.  The family lived in Topeka, KS where Ken attended the Highland Park High School. While Ken was still in high school the family moved to Osawatomie. Ken graduated from Osawatomie High School with the class of 1947.  Ken joined the U. S. Navy on September 5, 1950 during the Korean War. He served on the USS Worchester CL144 and the USS Storms DD780. He was discharged on August 13, 1956 with the rank of PN2.  While in the Navy Ken married Dorothy Joy Irwin in Tulsa, Oklahoma on December 26, 1951 and they became the parents of three children. They made their home in Palmdale, California. Dorothy Joy died in July 2004.  Ken attended the San Fernando Valley State College from 1957 – 1961 where he attained his BA and MA. Ken was a dedicated educator with the Palmdale School District for 31 years where he was a teacher, reading specialist and principal at elementary and middle schools.   After the time of the death of his wife in 2004, a dear high school sweetheart from Osawatomie sent him a card with her condolences. So shocked to have heard from her after all those years he phoned her and after 60 years they reunited. Ken moved to Osawatomie October 1, 2006 and on October 11, 2006 he married Dorothy Jacquline (Cortner) Heckart. They spent the next seven years happily as husband and wife.  Ken was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 53 years Dorothy Joy, two brothers: Robert and Richard Falls, one granddaughter Sherry Broyles, one great-granddaughter Jennifer and daughter in law Leticia (Letty) Falls.  He is survived by his wife Dorothy Heckart Falls of Overland Park, two daughters: Mary Elizabeth Snyder of Lancaster, CA, Jane Ann Falls and husband Alan Kelly of Eugene, OR, son Russell Irwin Falls of Palmdale, CA, seven grandchildren and ten great- grandchildren.  Memorials may be sent to Palmdale United Methodist Church 39055 10 th St. W. Palmdale, Ca. 93551.  Visitation will be held from 10:30am to 10:50am with Funeral Service to begin at 11am, both on Saturday, November 9, 2013 at Palmdale United Methodist Church.  Reception to follow at the church.  You may sign the condolence book at www.chapelofthevalleymortuary.com .  Chapel of the Valley Mortuary Palmdale, Directors.