Lester Eddie Harmon

Lester Eddie Harmon, 87, passed away peacefully at Brookdale Topeka on Tuesday, February 7, 2023, with family at his side. Born October 24, 1935, in White City, KS, Lester was the third of four children born to Lester L. and Eddie B. (Heisse) Harmon.  When he was young, Lester was active in 4-H and loved spending time outdoors on the farm, tending his garden, raising livestock and spending time with friends. He graduated from Herington High School in 1953 and served his country in the Kansas National Guard.  In 1959, he was united in marriage to Rosalie Mildred Tajchman at St. Mark Catholic Church in Marion, KS.  Together, Rosalie and Lester raised three beautiful children, typically in houses on the outskirts of town, where they could raise a few animals and tend a large garden. 

Lester began his career with the railroad in 1956 and accepted his conductor promotion in 1959. Throughout his career, Lester would work as a conductor for the Rock Island, Cottonbelt, Southern Pacific and Union Pacific railroads, moving with his family from Herington to Belleville, KS and back again.  He retired from the railroad in 1997.

On September 29, 1983, at the First Christian Church in Herington, Lester was united in marriage to Shirley (Bell) Herpich and expanded his family to include 5 stepchildren and numerous grand- and great-grandchildren. Lester and Shirley were very active members of the First Christian Church in Herington, and they enjoyed many happy years together spending time with family, playing cards and games with friends, and travelling in their RV. 

Lester is survived by his children Rick (Connie) Harmon of Basehor, Lesli (Tim) Girard of Topeka, and Kim (Kerry) Nikolaisen of St. Louis, MO; grandchildren Madison (Knox Butcher) Harmon; Kristina (Ben) McCollum, Nathan (Sandra Romero) Girard, Bradly (Payton Wiley) Girard; Jason (Brittany Green) Nikolaisen and Alexander Nikolaisen; great-grandchildren Jack, Lola, and Isaac McCollum; Louis Girard; Rylee, Margot, and Isaiah Nikolaisen; step-children Tom (Connie) Herpich of Burdick; Kerry (Ken) Swinney of Derby; Scott (Kathy) Herpich of Herington, and Lori (Art) Hughes of Wichita.  Lester’s family will gather with friends on Friday February 17, 2023 from 6-8 pm at Yazel Megli Funeral Home, Herington.  His funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday February 18, 2023 at the First Christian Church, Herington.  Lester will be laid to rest in Sunset Hill Cemetery.  Memorial contributions in his name may be directed to First Christian Church, Herington and Hilltop Community Center Meals on Wheels.  Please sign his online guestbook and leave a memory of Lester at www.yazelmeglifh.com.