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OBITUARY

Alan J. Mein

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Alan J. Mein, 73, of Girard, died at 2:38 a.m. Monday, January 30, 2023, at the Circle of Life Hospice in Springdale, Arkansas.

Alan was born to Albert T. and Doris L. (Marshall) Mein on September 24, 1949, in Girard, KS. He attended grade school at the Immanuel Lutheran Parochial School in Hepler, KS, and graduated from Girard High School in 1967. After graduation, he served six years in the U.S. Army Reserves. On August 9, 1970, he married Virginia C. Wedell at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Hepler, KS. They were married for 52 ½ years. She survives of the home.

After high school, he farmed with his dad and brothers on their family farm near Hepler and Walnut, KS, until 1987. They raised hogs, cattle, and row crops. In 1984 he started driving a school bus for USD 248 in Girard. In 1985 he joined USD 248 as a high school custodian. He continued to work there for 32 years, retiring in 2017. He continued to drive a school bus up until December 2022. He committed 38 ½ years of service to local school children. He loved all the kids he got to know through the years at both the school and on the bus, delighting in the fact that he drove the bus for generations of families at USD 248. Alan knew everyone, and everyone knew Alan.

During his retirement, he enjoyed baking pies and cookies, cracking and selling pecans, canning pickles, okra & beets, making sausage, raising chickens, selling eggs, growing heirloom tomatoes and cucumbers, and beekeeping with his neighbor Zach Harris. He was a friend to many and loved swapping recipes with family and friends. He had many hobbies over the years but became famous for his macaroon and French cookies. He always had a batch on hand ready to share. A lifelong learner who was never scared to take on a new challenge or hobby.

Alan was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Girard. He served as the church custodian for over 25 years.

He was a son, dad, brother, uncle, and, most importantly, a friend to so many people. Truly one-of-a-kind and will be missed immensely by all who knew and loved him here on earth. We are at peace knowing he is in heaven with Audra and his mom and dad. We know he's watching over us, waiting until the day we are all together again.

Survivors, in addition to his wife, Virginia (Ginger), of the home, include: his daughter, Meredith de Vera, and her husband, Clayton, of Rogers, Arkansas, and their children, Stella, age 16, and Marin, age 12; son, Jonathan Mein and Debra (Morland) Mein of St. Louis, Missouri and their children, Thaddeus, age 9, and Augusta, age 7; his sisters, Vickie Woodward, and her husband, Dennis, of Pittsburg, Connie McFarland, and her husband, Steve, of Girard, Alice Grotheer, and her husband, Dan, of Girard; his brothers, Elwyn Mein and Lila Scott, of Downs, Kansas; Bill Mein and his wife, Becky, of Girard; 10 nieces and nephews.

Alan was preceded in death by an infant sister, his parents, and a daughter, Audra Lynn Mein, on July 6, 1990.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, February 9, 2023, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Girard, with Pastor Jerry Hemmingson officiating. Burial will be in Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery near Hepler. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 8, 2023, at the Smith-Carson-Wall Funeral Home in Girard, where friends may call after 2:00 p.m., Wednesday.

Memorials are suggested to Trinity Lutheran Church, and these may be left at the church or Smith-Carson-Wall Funeral Home, 518 W St. John, Box 258, Girard, 66743.

Condolences may be sent to http://www.wallfuneralservices.com.