Gary Hershey

Gary "Hoss" Hershey, 65, Frankfort, died Wednesday, July 21, 2021 at St. Francis Hospital, Topeka. Visitation is Monday, July 26 from noon until 8 p.m. at Padden Funeral Chapel, Frankfort. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. A funeral service will be 10 a.m., Tuesday, July 27 at the United Methodist Church in Frankfort. Rev. Jim Akins will officiate. The musicians are Janet Plegge and Kim Stewart. The songs played will be "Here I Am Lord" and "Hallelujah". Pallbearers are Bob Schreiner, Carson Schreiner, Jason Sedlacek, Donnie Sedlacek, Dennis Sedlacek and Aaron Couper. Honorary pallbearers are Brandon Sullins, Bud Sloan, Lyle Sankey, Philip Garcia, Dee Long, Rick Scott, Adam Swanson, Dr. Robert Hertzog, Brian Brown, Paul Mckie, Dean Chambers and Lanny Mack. Burial will be at Willow Hill Cemetery in Frankfort, KS. Gary was born September 19, 1955, at Seneca, KS, son of Ellen (Swanson) and Marvin Hershey. In 1973 he graduated from East High School in Kansas City, MO. On September 18, 1982, he married Cindy Walker at the Methodist Church in Kearney, MO. They had two sons, Stefan and Brian. He worked at the Burroughs Wellcome Veterinary Laboratory, the Kansas City Star, and then the Kansas City Zoo. For 15 years he was an elephant handler. They moved to Frankfort in 1997 where he worked for the Co-Op and Blue Valley Telemarketing. He also helped Cindy with the daycare business from their home. Gary was a card holder of the Pro Rodeo Cowboy Association, involved in Cub Scouts through Boy Scouts going to the Osceola Boy Scout Camp numerous years, and was a very proud Eagle Scout himself. During family events you could expect Gary to chase someone around with the hotshot. You would know if Gary was around because of the overpowering smell of cologne and baby powder. He was always teasing the kids just to be a goofball and you could not forget his ability at roping in a kid if needed. He loved to help at the special needs rodeo and on weekends the family would travel to the nearest rodeo or circus. Almost every year he would spend a week at the American Royal. He had show-and-tell at the local library, which included telling kids stories about working with his elephants and at rodeos. Gary had a nickname for everyone in the family and all of the day care kids. Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Ellen and Marvin; brother Cleatis Hershey; and brother-in-law, Merlin Sullins. He is survived by his wife, Cindy; sons, Stefan and Brian Hershey, Frankfort; sisters, Velma (Rick) Scott, Edgar, MO, Debbie (Dennis) Sedlacek, Frankfort, Dorothy (Bob) Schreiner, Frankfort; sister-in-law, Debbie Sullins, Lee’s Summit, MO; brother-in-law, Ron (Kim) Walker, Kansas City, MO; grandchildren, Colten (Littlebear) and Emery (Squeaky) Hershey, Frankfort; nieces and nephews, Piggy, Bobo, JC, Bubba, Bunky, PB, UN, Tuffy, Buffy, Buffalo, Littleman, Sambo, CC; and 22 great nieces and nephews. A memorial fund is established and will be designated later. Contributions may be sent in care of Padden Funeral Chapel, Frankfort. Funeral for Gary Hershey To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Gary Hershey, please visit our flower store.