Timothy Winslow Hendrich was born June 18, 1930 in a rural home in Sylvan Grove, Kansas, the sixth child of Louis John and Marie Kejr Hendrich. At a young age, with the instruction of his parents and Sunday school teacher, Tim realized he was a sinner who needed forgiveness and asked Jesus Christ, who died on the cross as a payment for his sins, to be his Lord and Savior.
In 1946, his parents moved to the Portis, Kansas, area where they continued farming. Tim graduated from Portis High School in 1949. He served in the U.S. Army in 1952-53, stationed in Austria during the Korean War. After receiving an honorable discharge from the army, he enrolled in Omaha Baptist Bible College and graduated in 1959 with a three-year Bible degree.
On October 14, 1960, Tim was united in marriage to Naomi Jean Olson of Douds, Iowa. They actively farmed in the Portis area with the help of their sons Tim and Terrel until well after retirement. He immensely enjoyed studying and using the latest technology in farm equipment. His favorite activity was anything involving his sons and having "fun times," such as go-cart design and dirt biking.
Tim's love for God's Word was evidenced by being a faithful member and serving in Grace Baptist Church of Smith Center, Kansas. He enjoyed investing in the youth by teaching God's Word to the junior high and high school boys on Sunday mornings for several years. He also led the youth group on Sunday evenings which included exciting youth activities. Listening to AWANA Sparks (K-2nd graders) quoting Bible verses on Wednesday nights was a highlight. His skill for design was especially showcased in the AWANA Club floats for the annual Old Settlers' Day Parade in Smith Center.
A desire to be involved in other Christian ministries, led to the opportunity for him to be a founding board member of Red Cliff Bible Camp in Pinedale, Wyoming.
In their home, with his wife, Naomi, and his sons Tim and Terrel nearby, Tim W. Hendrich was called home into the presence of His Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on October 13, 2023. The following day, he and Naomi would have celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary. He was laid to rest, with immediate family attending, on October 15, 2023 at the Hammond Cemetery, Harlan. The local VFW chapter presented military funeral honors, including the presentation of the American flag to his widow, Naomi.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Marie and Louis Hendrich, as well as, his brothers, Samuel (Portis), Theophil, (Portis), Daniel (California), Joseph (Colorado), and Paul (Portis); sister, Lydia, Portis; and granddaughter, Ava Jean, Portis. He is survived by his wife Naomi and sons, Tim (Marthalyn), Harlan, and Terrel (Melodie), Texas; siblings, Clarence (Willa Jodeman), Portis, and Harry (Marjorie Bursell), Smith Center.
Tim rejoiced that all eleven of his grandchildren have trusted Jesus Christ as their Savior: Abigayel (Joshua) Crompton, Pennsylvania; Timbrely (Daniel) Anderson, Massachusetts; Cherith, Brooke, SaraLyn, Christal, Jordan, Jared, Kailyn, Trenton and Kylie Hendrich, Texas. He was blessed with a great-granddaughter, Madelyn, of Pennsylvania.
Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, December 2, 2023, at Grace Brethren Church, Portis, Kansas.
Memorial donations can be made to Red Cliff Bible Camp, P.O. Box 846, Pinedale, WY 82941.
All Faiths Funeral Chapel of Smith Center is handling the arrangements.
www.allfaithsfuneralchapel.com