Kenneth Samuel Behner, age 77, of Leech Rd., Greenville passed, away Saturday morning, June 25, 2022 in his residence.
He was born in Lordstown, OH on March 8, 1945 a son of Samuel and Dorothy (Kibbler) Behner. He was a graduate of Lordstown High School and graduated from Thiel College. He was employed as a social studies teacher at Mercer High School. On September 11, 2004 Ken married the former Kimberly Koehler, she survives. Ken loved horses and telling stories. He could pick up any piece of tack and weave a full history of its use in the old west, get him a saddle and he'd pass on all the wisdom of an old cowboy. Nothing made him happier than popping a little kid onto a horse's back and watching their eyes light up. Always the teacher, he turned barn chores into life-changing experiences, whether that meant seeing a foal born or simply watching the sunset over his rain tree.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, Seth Behner; a brother, Clark Behner; two sisters, Beth Behner and Paulette Coffman. He was preceded in death by his parents.
As per Ken's wishes, cremation was chosen and there will be no services. Arrangements have been entrusted to Loutzenhiser-Jordan Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 366-368 S. Main St., Greenville. Memorial contributions may be made to Second Chance Equine Association, P.O. Box 193, Norvelt, PA 15674.
So sorry for your loss. He was one of the best teachers/professors I had in my education.
So many fun days teaching together…we enjoyed watching our students blossom in class and in the volunteer program.
Ken was a really good storyteller…easily had you sitting on the edge of your seat waiting with baited breath for the ending..and always with a lesson… thank you dear friend for encouraging me as a teacher to always work to find the good.
My deepest sympathy to Ken’s family
Sorry to hear of Mr Behner’s passing, a wonderful teacher and was thought of often
Success
by
Bessie Anderson Stanley
He has achieved success
who has lived well,
laughed often, and loved much;
who has enjoyed the trust of
pure women,
the respect of intelligent men and
the love of little children;
who has filled his niche and accomplished his task;
who has left the world better than he found it
whether by an improved poppy,
a perfect poem or a rescued soul;
who has never lacked appreciation of Earth’s beauty
or failed to express it;
who has always looked for the best in others and
given them the best he had;
whose life was an inspiration;
whose memory a benediction.
-Rest easy Mr. Behner knowing you had great success.
With much respect, sending condolences to the family
Prayers for peace and comfort. Mr Behner was my teacher in the late 80s. One of the best for sure…ride on!
Prayers to your family. Mr. Behner was a wonderful teacher. I will always remember him. Hugs
My condolences to the family. Mr Behner was one of my favorite teachers and the first to instill a love of History in me. He definitely played a large part in my choosing it as my major in college. He was tough. It didn’t take long before you figured out he didn’t suffer fools, but it was also quickly evident he really did love to teach and he loved his kids. It always amazed me when I would run into him years later, he never seemed to age. He will be missed.
He was one of my cherished memories from my years in junior high school at Mercer. He was the “cool” teacher with his head of curly hair and beard. When he would tell stories while teaching, his eyes would light up as he spoke. May his family and friends find the comfort of God’s presence in this time of mourning.
Mr Behner was always one of my favorite teachers. He was really calm and steady. He made class interesting and challenging . He brought out the best in all of us. He will never be forgotten by anyone who knew him. Sending. My deepest condolences to his family.
So sorry for your loss. He was such a good teacher. He will be missed by many
Thoughts and prayers are with the family. Mr. Behner was a great history teacher. He got you interested in the subject, never a boring class! RIP Mr. Behner. I had him as a teacher at MHS in 1968-69. He was one of my favorite teachers!
So sorry for your loss. Prayers of comfort for your in this time. He was one the best teachers I had at Mercer High. We will be remembered always
So sorry to hear of the loss of a great man. He made History so interesting. You could tell he cared about you. A teacher who made a difference.
i was going to call ken about a month ago but i did not — he was my wrestling coach in high school – he was a great guy – some my best memories from hs
So sorry for your loss. Prayers for you and your family. He was one of the best and my favorite teacher at Mercer High School.
So sorry family, He was such a great teacher.I had him in 1980 for history and then in 1985 with Mrs.Lengauer as team for I believe Contemporary Living class. What a team they were together with all us.He left a Impact on his students that’s for sure.
I wasn’t one of his students, but got to know Ken later when I worked as a secretary. He was a friend with a welcoming smile, always a kind word to say, and a story to tell.
So sorry to hear of his passing. His family has my deepest sympathy.
So sorry for your loss. Such an awesome teacher and so fun! He sure will be missed
I am so sorry for your loss. Mr. Behner was such a kind soul and wonderful teacher. He always had kind words and a smile for everyone, no matter who you were. I fondly remember his classes and how much he loved to impart his knowledge with that twinkle in his eyes. He will be always be remembered with many smiles.
I moved to the Mercer Area just starting out in Seventh Grade – Mr. Behner certainly made me feel welcome to the area – especially into the Mustang Family – one of my fondest memories I have of him !! He was such a kind, caring, outgoing,joking, smiling, and great role model for SOOO many of us !! My condolences to his family
My favorite teacher by far. Sparked my interest in history to this day.❣️
Beautiful soul. Wonderful teacher. Sorry for your loss.
A kinder soul would be hard to find in this world. Great teacher with so much compassion.
I had Mr. Behner for a teacher in Jr High!
He was kind and friendly to everyone! Great teacher. Deepest sympathy to his family
Remembering a friend/great teacher with a beautiful smile and his BSA motorcycle. God Bless
My deepest sympathies, my heart is very sad, he was a great teacher & friend. I had him for history & psychology classes. He always made learning fun! We had a debate in his class that had everone jump’n & laughing at the end❤ a few yrs later he stopped me & told me he’d never fogot that debate, he is greatly missed, my thoughts & prayers are with you all.❤
Mr. Behner was one of the old school good ones. I was just thinking about him the other day. I will always remember his sparkling eyes as he would talk and him encouraging me to try out for the Talent Show at school in 7th grade. I didn’t make it that year but he was so encouraging and gave me the courage to keep going! I loved history class with him 1st period. He will be missed. Condolences to his family
When you talk about what being a great teacher should be, you are talking about Ken Behner. He always showed respect for everyone–teacher, staff, or student. Anyone who knew him was a better person for it. We will miss him, but are thankful that our paths crossed. We certainly extend our most since sympathies to his family.
Mr.Behner was my history teacher in 7th grade. He was a great teacher and very patient with all his students. He treated everyone with respect. Prayers for peace and comfort.
Gods’ speed and condolences to Seth as well as to all of Kenny’s family. I will miss him at post-season wrestling tournaments after first having known him and Seth decades ago from when they’d come to Hump Campbell’s Garage across from Old Salem Methodist Church. He was always fun and interesting to chat with over those years. Best of wishes to you all and may he rest in peace!
Greatest teacher made life real❤️
Every time I reflect on my years at MHS (Class of ‘81), Mr. Behner is at the top of my list of favorite teachers. I imagine he had a positive Influence on the lives of all of his students. His was a life well-lived. Thank you, Mr. B.
So sorry for your loss,Prayers to all the family,He was a great teacher,and such a nice person,He will be missed.RIP Mr.Behner.
Mr. Behner encouraged me the entire way through high school. He was a righteous man. Praying for the family. So sorry for your loss.
Our condolences to the Behner family. Mr. Behner was a wonderful History Teacher & he is remembered fondly by the student body of MHS. Thank you for instilling a love of learning. RIP
I am so sorry for your loss! Mr. Behner was one of the very best educators! One of my favorite memories of him was completing our 50 page report in the middle of the OJ Simpson trial. I made a comment that he will end up getting off and Mr. Behner bet me a snickers bar that he wouldn’t. Needless to say he brought in the candy. Years later he still joked about watching the trial instead of writing our reports. He taught me more in that class than many of my college History Professors did. I was so grateful for his lessons…. all of them. He will be thought of fondly. Praying for peace for all of you. Thank you for sharing such an amazing man with all of us!
Mr Behner made class an enjoyable place to be. He challenged us, but with love. He made us be the best we could be, at least for him. I often think of him, as I encounter something that we worked on during his classes. RIP, Ken. You will be missed, but loved always.
I didn’t know him I’m from Mercer went to MHS. I see so many wonderful posts he was loved by all. My deepest sympathy and prayers for his family, friends and students
Kim, I am so sorry for your loss. My prayers and thoughts are with you and the family. I met Ken a few times, he was the nicest man. He will be missed.
Love Diana
Rest in Paradise Mr. Behner….always a Mercer Mustang. It was an honor to take care of your mom (Oma) when she was on hospice and to see you again.
It was a real privilege to teach with Ken. He was a kind gentle soul who was always there for everyone. Memories of him are a huge smile and twinkling eyes and sometimes a hug. We were all better for knowing him. Rest In Peace dear friend, and sincere sympathies to his family.
My favorite teacher ever! Junior High was a struggle socially and academically (70’s), and he was the one person that understood me and helped me to make it through my school years. I have thought of him many times over the years. God Bless You Mr. Behner. Rest easy, and thank you for everything!