Kenneth Searl

Searl, Kenneth Hamlin OREGON - Kenneth Hamlin Searl, age 83, passed away on Thursday, March 8, 2007. He was born in Wautoma on Nov. 20, 1923, to Lloyd Franklin and Irene Christine (Lundberg) Searl. After graduating high school, Ken spent a year as a ranch hand in Willsal, Mont. In November 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He was selected for Officers Candidate School and attended classes in Birmingham, Ala., where he met his future wife, Imogine Jones McCormack. He was honorably discharged in December 1945. Ken and Jean married in August 1944 in California. Jean preceded him in death in June 1990. They moved to Oregon in 1945, where Ken farmed for a time and then began his career as an electrician. In 1956, he established Searl Electric, an electrical contracting company. In 2000, Ken sold the company to his business confidant and friend, Rich DeVoe. Ken continued working at Searl Electric until two weeks before his death. In 1991, Ken met and fell in love with Loretta L. Evert. She has been a blessing to him for 16 years and Kens children are so thankful she is part of our family. Ken was a member of St. Johns Lutheran Church, the Elks, Ducks Unlimited and the Optimist Club. He also was a supporter of the St. Josephs Indian School, Chamberlain, S.D. Ken is survived by Loretta Evert; his children, Kenneth Jr. (Katie) of Wayzata, Minn., Sharon (Dale) Hawley of Meadville, Pa. and Robert (Debbie) of Shawnee, Okla.; six grandchildren, Scott Searl, Brad (Jennifer) Searl, Travis (Melissa) Hawley, Kate Hawley, Zachary Searl and Lindsay (Todd) Barber; a great-granddaughter, MollyAnn Barber; and a brother, Don (Marjorie) Searl of Kalamazoo, Mich. Funeral services will be held at ST. JOHNS LUTHERAN CHURCH, 625 E. Netherwood, Oregon, at 11 a.m., on Monday, March 12, 2007, with the Rev. Paul Markquart presiding. Burial will be at Prairie Mound Cemetery, Oregon. Visitation will be at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Monday. Memorials may be made to St. Johns Lutheran Church or HospiceCare. "Kenneth lived an honorable, decent and gentle life. He made a difference in the lives of those who knew him. He is much loved and will be sorely missed."