Obituaries
Kenneth Earnest, 69
December 18, 2022
The world has lost a phenomenally great hugger.
Ken, Kenneth, Kenny Boy, Pappy, Papa Bear was an exceptionally kind, hard working, and a genuinely caring father, friend, brother, and son. Ken lived his life in service of others and always talked about the importance of how you make other people feel. It showed in the way he befriended and talked (for a little too long) with everyone he met. The way he deeply cared about others and oozed love was obvious as he would make new friends with ease, and left one happier for having spent time with him.
Ken’s passion was nature, and he shared his love of the outdoors and recreation through his life’s work. Influenced by his days playing outside around Elizabethtown as a boy and enjoying the mountains in State College at university, Ken studied and received his degree in parks and recreation from Penn State. His career took off as the Director of Parks and Recreation in Hempfield. Countless members of the Hempfield community enjoyed the summer camps, after school programs, fitness clubs, bus trips, and recreation classes he helped produce. Ken spent the second chapter of his career at the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation of Natural Resources helping fund communities to build parks/trails throughout Pennsylvania. Ken was a lifetime member of the Pennsylvania Recreation & Park Society and was awarded the Presidential Citation in 2020. The next time you take a stroll through a local park, Ken likely worked on it in some way.
In his retirement, he spent time riding his bike, walking outside almost every day, and talking cars. He rekindled long friendships and cherished spending time with his family and close friends. The good times included family dinners, going on nature walks and reading stories with his grandchildren, a lifetime trip to Hawaii, and welcoming his last grandchild only a few months ago.
He loved music a little too loud (maybe why he was hard of hearing) and passed that love on to his children. He was a self-proclaimed naturalist and always felt the need to sleep outside. He coached his daughters HYA softball team and rooted for his son all the way through him playing college football. He was a friend to many and could always be counted on for help whether it was reshingling a roof, weeding a garden, or just shooting the shit. He was loved by many and has touched the lives of his friends and family more than he will ever know. His bear hugs, words of support, and overflowing love will be missed most of all.
Kenneth Paul Earnest, 69, of Mt. Joy, passed away at Lancaster General Hospital on Sunday, December 18, 2022. Ken is survived by his children, Carly Meyer (husband, Michael) and Evan Earnest (wife, Hong); his grandchildren Isabella, Jackson, Ethan, and Eden; his brother John Earnest; his sisters Crystal Mumma and Leslie Habecker; as well as many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Homer J. and Shirley A. (Paul) Earnest, and his sister, Barbara G. Fielder.
His life is best honored by striking up a conversation with someone (actually listening), giving time, energy, and support to your local parks, playing your music a little too loud, and most importantly never missing the chance to tell someone you love them. If you’d like to make a donation in Ken’s honor, we have started a memorial fund to celebrate Ken’s life’s work in parks and recreation: Kenneth Earnest Memorial Fund
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date when we can celebrate outside.
Leave a condolence on this Memorial Page
Condolences to the Family
January 22, 2023
I met Ken around 30 years ago when I moved to the Meadows Edge Development. He lived in the cul-de-sac behind me. He came up to me on his bike & introduced himself to me. Shortly thereafter I got a job at the Hempfield Rec, which was the Hempfield Sports Complex at that time, and turns out Ken was the director.there, so he was my neighbor and my boss. I enjoyed working with him & being his neighbor. He was a very friendly & kind person. I’m so sorry to hear about his passing. My condolences go out to his family. Sue Creed
January 06, 2023
I am so shocked and saddened by Ken’s passing. We were good friends as well as professional colleagues. We roomed together often at hotels, at PRPS Annual Conferences; and spent many hours together pondering the meaning of life, and our profession of municipal work at these Conference evening socials. It was the epitome of professional networking to spend an evening dinner and social with him. Ken had an infectious laugh, and a good sense of humor. He will be sorely missed. Condolences to his family; our collective loss in the Commonwealth of PA is great. — John Mikowychok, former director, Lancaster and Chester County Parks & Recreation Depts.
January 03, 2023
Ken was a true professional in the recreation and park field. The Hempfield community was lucky to have this outstanding and dedicated individual to bring recreation programs to all residents. Ken extended his influence and assistance in his work for PA DCNR. My favorite memories of Ken were at the annual PRPS Conferences. He was always fun to be with, laughed easily and often, and made all feel comfortable and welcome. I send my thoughts and heartfelt prayers to his family. Your love for him will see you through and hopefully will bring you peace. Chotty and Dick Sprenkle
January 03, 2023
Ken would bring laughter into a room he entered; he had a contagious sense of humor and always had positive, reassuring words to share. His kindness and willingness to share his knowledge is something I will always remember.
January 02, 2023
We were so sad to hear about Ken’s passing. We have no doubt he was a great grandfather because of the love he had for Carly and Evan and his support of the Meadows Edge neighborhood children.
We will remember his time and support of Tara when she was aquatic director at HARC and his friendship during his time at HARC.
Ken will be missed and we will be praying and keeping you and your family in our thoughts and prayers. Etzweiler family
January 01, 2023
The author of Ken’s obituary captured his spirit perfectly in that introduction. “… he would make new friends with ease, and left one happier for having spent time with him.” That was exactly my experience. I had the pleasure of knowing Ken for only four brief months. He was the first friend I met when I moved into my new apartment community in August. Actually, I met him a week or so before I even moved in and he warmly welcomed me into the community. We became fast friends and I enjoyed hanging out with him at the community pool, having great conversations, even knocking back a couple of cold ones now and then. Just days before his passing, we watched The Dirty Dozen at his place and had a great time. My condolences to his family. He was a wonderful man and a gentle soul. I’m sad to have lost a brand new friend. God bless you, Ken.
__ Greg Grasa
December 31, 2022
Ken, you will be very missed. Always a smile on your face. Very compassionate. Thank you for always being you and always being so loveable and carefree. Prayers to the family.
Jim and Carrie Labiak
December 30, 2022
Loved working with Ken at Hempfield Rec twenty years ago. His curiosity was infectious and made him such a good listener. I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to know him. He definitely left an imprint on me. Sending love to his family and friends.
December 30, 2022
I was sad to hear about Ken’s passing. A bit of history and his friends too.
Well, we all lived outside of Elizabethtown, Pa in the country side. We aways found things to do. Bike riding, building forts, sleeping outside under the stars and just enjoying the country side. Winter time was alway fun too. We had over 8-10 years doing things together out there in the country side.
Well we got to know each other very well. Did a lot of things together. So there was me ( Jimmie ) then Jack Nellenbach, Doug Smolinski and Ken who was a school class above us. We always looked up to him as he was older and knew more then us.
When you live outside the town and in the country side you build a special bond with those that your around every day. And Ken shared with us guys those kind of things that we needed to know. LOL
We all were Country Boys. We all will miss our friend, Ken.
December 30, 2022
Ken was a great guy, and my husband and I are happy that we got to know him. Ken was the first person to welcome us to the Crest neighborhood, and we will miss him.
We are so sorry for your loss.
Joe and Cheryl Zagurski
December 30, 2022
Sad to learn of Ken’s passing, we are blessed to have received more than one of those hugs. The Landesberg family knew Ken as a caring, committed, inspired & insiteful friend of nature, who will be sorely missed.
Best wishes to all his friends and family.
December 30, 2022
Big Ken left an indelible mark on our community and lives, while also bringing joy to so many. I considered him a second dad (as he called me ‘second son’), and we both are so grateful for having been able to spend significant quality time with him this past year on vacation. I will miss our long conversations, jokes, and friendship.
Evan and Carly – May the wonderful memories you have of your father sustain you at this difficult time. We look forward to seeing you soon.
December 30, 2022
Kenny was a wonderful man and gentleman. Was so happy he decided to help out with our class reunion, giving us time to spend with him. May God embrace your sweet soul. My condolences to the Earnest family. Sincerely, Annette (Carbone) Eckinger.
December 30, 2022
I am so sorry for you and your family’s loss. Sending prayers. Randy Richards
December 30, 2022
Ken and I were friends since 4th grade through our senior year. We lost touch after graduating but rekindled our friendship when we were both on the class reunion committee. The day before the reunion in July 2022, Ken and I had a late lunch which lasted 2 1/2-3 hours. We talked so much that many people came and went in the restaurant. At the reunion, we sold raffle tickets together and were able to speak with a lot of our classmates. We talked or texted frequently. I’m so happy to have spent time with Ken and certainly will miss him. My condolences to the entire family for losing such a fine person! Deb (Schoenberger) Beatson
December 30, 2022
I’ll play the music loud, have a cold one, and go for a walk in a park…. Miss you.
