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Merle Kenneth Bishman

Posted 2023-07-23 by mhenderson
Published by Today's News Herald on Jul. 23, 2023 -
Lake Havasu City, Arizona -


Merle Kenneth (Ken) Bishman, 84, passed away on July 11, 2023 in Lake
Havasu City, of congestive heart failure.

Ken was born on May 19, 1939 in San Bernardino, California and raised in
Rialto, California until attending San Bernardino High School,
graduating in 1957. After working several jobs in construction, Ken
joined the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department in 1962 and
remained there until retiring in 1993 with the rank of captain.

Ken married his childhood sweetheart, Barbara Jo Hydinger, in 1959 and
had two children, Joanna and Michael; they divorced in 1977. In 1978, he
met and married Barbara Ann Cowell who had two daughters, Gina and
Debbie. In 1988 Ken received a Bachelor of Arts degree in business
management from the University of Redlands.

Ken and Barb retired to Lake Havasu City and built their dream home. Ken
was a member of the Goatheads motorcycle club, Elks Lodge, Eagles and
the Yacht Club. He and Barb led an active retirement life enjoying
boating, fishing, golfing, and entertaining. They traveled all over the
United States and Egypt.

After a long battle with Alzheimer's disease, Barb preceded Ken in death
in 2018. Ken is also preceded in death by his granddaughter, Deborah
Langstaff. He is survived by his children Joanna (Alan) Courtney,
Michael (Gretchen) Bishman, Gina James and Debbie Guindon, 10
grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Ken's motto and final advice
in life was "Remember, life's too short to drink cheap whiskey". Cheers
to you Ken. Rest in peace.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023 at the Elks
Lodge, Lake Havasu City.





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