Date of Death: April 5, 2021
Service Details
Visitation will be held at Hohner Funeral Home on Tuesday, April 13, 2021, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, April 14, 2021, beginning at 11:00 AM at Saint Michael Lutheran Church, 7211 Oakland Dr. Portage, MI 49024, with Rev. Dr. Paul R. Naumann officiating, interment in Lower Flatbush Cemetery will follow. The family will receive friends at the church beginning at 10:00 AM, one hour prior to the service.
Obituary Notice
Ken J. Handy, age 51, passed away in Greendale, WI, on April 5, 2021. He was born in Three Rivers, MI, on August 16, 1969, the son of Kenneth C. and Linda (Wortinger) Handy.
Ken was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Three Rivers. He graduated from Three Rivers High School, having played football, baseball, track and his real passion, basketball. He went on to attend Concordia University – Chicago where he played basketball and made many lifelong friends. His family and friends fondly remember his senior year when he was awarded MVP of the Concordia Invitational Tournament. Ken was an avid sports fan, especially for his beloved Detroit Lions and Michigan State Spartans.
After graduating from Concordia, Ken taught P.E. and coached football and basketball at Walther Lutheran High School in Melrose Park, IL. Ken shifted careers to law enforcement in the mid-1990’s, working as a U.S. Border Patrol Agent in El Cajon, CA for two years before becoming a Federal Agent with ATF in Milwaukee, WI. He had recently retired from the ATF.
Ken leaves to cherish his memory his father, Ken (Barb) Handy of Three Rivers, his sister, Becki (Chris) Scheel of Marana, AZ, and his brother Dan (Dawn) Handy and their four children of Winnebago, IL, several godchildren, aunts, uncles, cousins, and his beloved dog, Copper.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Linda, on January 24, 2019.
Additional Information
In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) of Southwest Michigan or the Athletic Department at Concordia University Chicago, c/o the funeral home.
Please Leave Your Condolences
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I just found out about Ken’s passing. He was my roommate at the Border Patrol Academy and good friend during his time at El Cajon. Unfortunately we lost touch when he transferred to ATF. He was a great guy. I have some pictures if you wish to contact me. I am so sorry for your loss.
Dear Handy Family,
We are thinking of you and will continue to do so. Very sorry that we were not able to attend the services. We are still staying home as much as possible due to the pandemic. Trust that your memories will bring you peace and comfort.
My condolences to the entire family. I met Kenny when I was a senior at CCRF and he was a freshman playing basketball together. Through the years I had many laughs with this funny easy going guy. Like many of the good ones he is gone too soon. we will play 1 on 1 again some day my friend.
I met Ken while he was visiting in Texas 5 years ago. We have remained in contact on a regular basis. This comes as a shock as our last few conversation were very upbeat and positive. He was a good and respected man. I will miss our spiritual conversations. Prayers of healing for the family know that he is with the Creator of all.
Sincerely
Cliff Henderson
Sincere condolences to the Handy family (sorry we couldn’t attend in person). Ken was a great teammate, roommate, and most of all friend! You will be missed “Kendog” – we’ll see you again in a better place!
– Tim and Tracy Laesch
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Handy Family. Ken and I started ATF together and have been friends since – Still have a photo of him pushing my daughter in a stroller in Virginia Beach. I will miss his sense of humor and many phone calls and texts over the past year – Rest In Peace my friend! You will be missed. James and Alie Liscinsky – Long Island , NY
Ken was in our wedding 27 years ago, a great college friend to my husband which God called home 13 years ago. He will be missed. Our prayers and love are with your family. Please accept our deepest condolences.
Our thoughts and prayer go out to the Family. Ken always had a way to make me, and everyone around, laugh.
Dear Handy family: Mr. Handy, Becki, Dan & families, I am so very sorry for your loss, words escape me. Knowing Ken has been one of the joys of my life and he will be missed very much. May the Lord give your hearts His peace and understanding. The Lord keep you all in His care and give you strength. Most Sincerely, Ruth
Dear Ken, Barb, Becki, Chris, Dan and Dawn, our sincere condolences for the loss of Ken. We will always cherish the fond memories of the fun times we had with Ken and your entire family. Words cannot express the sadness we feel for all of you at this time. We are comforted knowing he is in the company of his beloved mother, Linda, again. God be with you all during this difficult time.
I had the pleasure of reconnecting with Ken after almost a 20 year gap recently. We had worked together in San Diego years ago and became good friends. We lost touch after job transfers and normal life got in the way, but upon reconnecting it was like there had been no time gap at all. There was no better friend or co-worker than Ken. He was truly a standup guy. May his family find solace in this fact. I am shocked and deeply saddened at his passing.
Our deepest and heartfelt sadness for Ken’s family. Ken was our son Paul’s best and dearest friend and roommate at Concordia University, and he has remained very special to our entire family. We know he lays gently in the arm’s of our loving Savior, but we will miss him terribly. Rest in peace Ken.
Joe and Ruth Enderle
Although no longer working in Milwaukee, I met Ken on a number of occasions. He was a real gentleman and a pleasure to spend time with him. Very shocked and saddened by his passing. Our thoughts and prayers with all of you in this difficult time. Ken, may the Lord bless you and keep you, always.
Ken was part of US Border Patrol session 339, my classmate, a friend and one of the nicest guys you’ve ever met. Rest In Peace, Ken.
My deepest sympathy to the entire Handy family. My heart is heavy sharing your loss. The joy of Easter brings comfort to our lives. Because He lives, we too have the promise of eternal life. God give you peace and comfort,as only He can. Lifting all of you up in prayer. Much love to all of you
Saddened by the news about Ken. I worked with Ken as a fellow ATF agent in Milwaukee until I retired in 2003 and we continued our friendship. He was well-respected by his law enforcement peers for his work ethic and reliability. More importantly I valued Ken as a good, loyal friend who could find humor in difficult times. I will miss him. My heartfelt sympathies to Ken’s father, sister and brother along with his extended family.
Ken was a close friend of my fathers, for as long as I can remember he’s always been “uncle Ken”. I have so many fond memories of Ken asking me about school, patting me on the head and calling me “little Gracie” even when I wasn’t so little. Uncle Ken will always have a special place in my heart, he was always kind and would light up any room he was in. I will him forever. He was such a great man and I feel so lucky to have known him and been part of his life.
You are so missed Ken. You were my secret high school crush, who would always make me blush by simply walking by and saying hello. Thank you for the laughter and joy that you brought me and so many others. I will never forget you. I look forward to seeing you in Heaven. Condolences to the Handy family.
When Jesus told us to take up our crosses and follow Him we had no idea what those crosses would present. Certainly every one of us did not imagine this would include burying a child and brother. In this present reality may God provide you with strength to carry this cross, patience to endure the pain, and comfort in the resurrection of the dead and the life everlasting. As Ken rests in the arms of Jesus, may we go forward in the peace that passes understanding. God bless you all.
Dear Becki, we were so very sorry to hear about your brother’s passing. May you and your family find comfort in knowing that he is safe with our Lord and Savior and you will one day be reunited. Let the many good memories you hold help you heal your broken hearts. Sending prayers.
Dear Ken, Becki, Dan and families, we share your grief in this loss. Our family has been entwined with yours as we have worshiped together through the years, at St. Peters and then at St. Michael. We pray for our GOD to enfold you in His love and comfort. We take solace in knowing that Linda is reunited with her beloved son.
Our thoughts and prayers our with the Handy Family. My wife and I knew Ken well when he moved to Milwaukee to begin his ATF career. We have fond memories of Ken during those early days in Milwaukee and recall some very fun times working and hanging out with Ken. Rest in peace friend – you are missed.
Ken and I were classmates at the U.S. Border Patrol Academy in Charleston, SC in 1997. Class 339. Great guy. Solid Agent. Lot of good memories. RIP Ken
Our deepest sympathies to the Handy family. So very sorry for your loss. Sending prayers for comfort and healing during this difficult time.
Rick and Cindy Slater
Our Hearts are Broken….He was one of the nicest young men, We remember him growing up in our church St Peters, and his smile….
The Angels were singing on Monday when He entered heaven….He will be Greatly Missed….Our prayers to Ken, Becky, Dan and Families….We are So sad about his passing…..
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Handy family. We knew Ken throughout high school and we were very fond of him.
Sincerely,
Cathy and Cindy Kennedy
Our family’s sympathy and prayers as you remember your loved ones.
I met Ken when his family moved to Tamarac subdivision. Ken was always so funny in school, he entertained me with his antics and we certainly got in trouble a lot, especially in sixth grade. He was a great person and will be missed dearly by all. My condolences go out to the family.
My heart aches for your family. So very sorry you are walking this painful path. I know Linda is hugging him tightly.
Dearest Ken, Becki, Dan and family.
Our sincere thoughts and prayers are with you as you mourn the loss of Kenny. May you hold close the many wonderful and treasured memories you have had together. Praying that God will comfort you, give you peace, and strength, knowing that you will all be together again with Our Lord and Savior.
Carolyn & Denny Kutz – New Berlin, WI
We were shocked and saddened by the news. Prayers for all the Handy Family. We have so many wonderful memories of the Handy Family, our church family at St. Peters, and the youth group that taught me so much by the way they cared for each other. God Bless you all!
Ken and family, I am so sorry to learn of your loss. There are few words that one can say, but I hope you find comfort in your memories of Ken, and in the love of family and friends. You will be in my thoughts.
Condolences to the family. So sorry for your loss. May God give you Peace.