Donald Anthony James Herl, age 69, of rural Ogallah, Kansas passed away Saturday, August 6, 2016 at the Good Samaritan Society, Ellis. He was born November 20, 1946 at Saint Anthony’s Hospital in Hays, Kansas to Alvin Sr. and Dorothy (Karlin) Herl.

He worked diligently on the family farm. He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ellis and attended school at St. Mary’s, Ogallah Elementary and Trego Community High School. Years ago he worked at Trego County Hospital. He enjoyed archery and designed his own personal bows and arrows, he enjoyed nature walks where he would often collect unique small artifacts. He was a self taught artist creating western scenes, comics, animals and nature themed landscapes. He enjoyed music and played the guitar, harmonica and attempted the banjo. Don enjoyed reading history, geographical and relegious books. He could recite lengthy poems that he had learned as a young man. He loved his family and enjoyed visits with them and friends.

He is survived by his identical twin brother, Ronald (Karen) Herl, another brother, Alvin (Amy) Herl all of Ogallah, Kansas; three sisters, Jeannette (Charles) Augustine of Ellis, Kansas, Joyce (Kenneth) Kinderknecht of Collyer, Kansas and Jean (Donovan) Neufeldt of Moundridge, Kansas; nieces and nephews, Michael (Jennifer) Augustine and children,Samantha, Emily and Nathaniel all of Topeka, Kansas, Tony R. (Christy) Knouf and son Hunter all of Conway and a daughter, Khloe Knouf of Peyton, Colorado,Michelle (Craig) Goldsberry and children, Cale and Tenley all of Springfield, Missouri, Jessica (Jason) Augustine-Stegman of Manhattan, Kansas, Aaron Herl and Fiance, Shelby Gottschalk of Hays, Kansas, Jared, Katelyn and Ryan herl of Ogallah, John Kinderknecht of Colorado and Nicole Neufeldt of Moundridge, Kansas.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Alvin and Dorothy Herl.

Funeral services will be 10 AM Thursday, August 11, 2016 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ellis with burial to follow in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be Wednesday 6 PM – 8 PM with a combined rosary and vigil service at 7 PM and Thursday 9 AM – 9:30 AM all at Keithley Funeral Chapel 400 E 17th Ellis, KS 67637.

Memorials are suggested to the organization of your choice.

Condolences may be left by guestbook at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or emailed to [email protected].