Dec 21, 2023

Kenneth E. Vinduska

Posted Dec 21, 2023 4:23 PM

Kenneth E. Vinduska
February 1, 1945 ~ December 18, 2023

Ken was born on February 1, 1945, in Wichita. He passed away after a brief illness on Monday, December 18, 2023, at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita. Ken was a doting father, devoted husband, and a lifelong servant of God in the Catholic faith. He is the son of George L. and Amelia (Neuwirth) Vinduska. Ken grew up in Pilsen, attended Pilsen Grade School and was part of the first freshman class at the consolidated Centre High School where he graduated. Ken voluntarily joined the United States Army in 1962 and was honorably discharged in 1965. He utilized the G.I. Bill to attend Wichita State University, graduating with a degree in Business Administration in 1970. Ken went to work for Reynolds Metals selling siding and then for Round-Up Enterprises selling oil field tanks. When oil production slowed in the 1980’s, Ken worked at Hesston and for Golden Grain in Peabody among other jobs to support his family. Ken later went to work at Marion Manor, becoming a nursing home administrator and serving in that role for over 17 years. After he retired from Marion Manor, Ken sold long term care insurance and worked as custodian for the Marion Post Office. Ken was a faithful parishioner of the Holy Family Parish in Marion County. He had served as the Grand Knight of the Pilsen Knights of Columbus before joining St. Mark’s in Marion and frequently led the Rosary recitation before Mass in Marion on Sunday in his later years. He served on the St. Luke’s Hospital Board during the hospital’s expansion and also served on the USD 408 School Board as member and president for multiple years. Ken was a member of the Hillsboro American Legion and the Marion Kiwanis Club. He was united in marriage to Bonnie (Mitchell) Wealand on November 10, 1995, after a 9-year courtship. Ken’s family was very important to him. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Edwin, sister Sylvia Moravec and sister Margie Stroda. He is survived by his loving wife Bonnie of Marion; and his four children of his first marriage to Rose (Melcher) Vinduska:  Joan (Dan) Dold of Emporia, Christopher (Jana) Vinduska of Bel Aire, Zachary (Karen) Vinduska of Wichita, and Terese Donahoe of Lee ‘s Summit, Missouri; grandchildren Katelyn, Jeremy, Elijah (Clarissa) , Amelia, Sara, Nicholas, Joseph, Matthew, Oliver, Martin, and Kennedy; great granddaughter Lyla; brother Harold “Bud” Vinduska of Florence and multiple nieces and nephews; Bonnie’s children Kerry (Kevin) Justus of Oklahoma, and Amy (Andy) Taylor of Independence; Bonnie’s grandchildren Maddie (Seth), Kasey, Lillie and her great granddaughter Jenna.  His family will gather with friends on Thursday, December 21st from 6-8 p.m. for a Service at St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church in Pilsen. His funeral Mass will be held Friday, December 22nd at 11 a.m. at the church. He will be laid to rest in Pilsen Cemetery with military honors following the Mass. Yazel Megli Funeral Home is serving the family. Memorial contributions in Ken’s name may be directed to the Father Kapaun Legacy Fund. Please sign his online guestbook and leave a memory of Ken at www.yazelmeglifh.com