Kenneth L. Vechera, 70, of Elkhart, died on Friday, April 7, 2017 at his residence surrounded by his family.

Ken was born on February 11, 1947 in Chicago, IL to the late Leo and Sylvia (Vanek) Vechera.  Also preceding him in death were a brother, Robert, who died as an infant, two nephews, Robert Thomas Foy and Anthony Groom, his mother and father-in-law, Robert and Vera Foy and his Aunt Lee and Uncle Irv Hajicek, who helped raise Ken.

On September 2, 1984, Ken married Rebecca Foy in Elkhart.  She survives along with a son, Eric (Anna) Vechera of Goshen; a daughter, Ashley (Daniel) Sheldon of Lanesville, IN; two grandsons, Kaleb and Izaak Vechera; a sister, Barbara Ayrea of Elkhart;  brothers-in-law John (Sue) Foy and Thomas (Candi) Foy; sisters-in-law, Dorothy (Pat) Shaffer and Mary Beth Deitch.  He was also a loving uncle to Betsy (Michael) Ayrea-Delfine, Jon (Robin) Ayrea, Joseph (Jackie) Foy, Jason Groom, Staci (Eugene) Schneider, Stephanie (Jeff) Hochstetler, Lindsey (Roger) Miles, Craig (Lisa) Foy, Alex (Stephanie) Deitch and Austin Deitch.  Also surviving is his faithful dog, Bentley.

Ken worked in sales in the R. V. industry for many years.

He enjoyed fishing, hunting and corvettes.  He loved owning his own business as well as animals.  Kenneth was also a veteran of the United States Army, serving in Vietnam.   His greatest joy was in spending time with his family.  He was very much looking forward to the birth of his first granddaughter.

Friends may call Sunday from 1 until 5 at the Hartzler-Gutermuth-Inman Funeral Home where services will be held on Monday at 11 a.m.  The Rev. Thomas Short will officiate and burial will be in Oak Ridge Cemetery in Bristol.

Memorial donations in memory of Ken may be directed to the Methodist Health Foundation, Lung Transplant Fund, Methodist Lung Transplant, MHC 715, P.O. Box 1367, Indianapolis, IN 46202-1367 or Heart to Heart Hospice 620 W. Edison Road Suite 122 Mishawaka, IN 46545.