07/30/2025
Ashland Community Mourns the Loss of Kenny Heyl, Beloved Car Enthusiast and Community Advocate
ASHLAND – The Ashland community is mourning the loss of Kenneth “Kenny” R. Heyl, a man whose humor, generosity, and passion for classic cars and community service made him a cherished figure across the city. Heyl, 78, passed away peacefully on July 25, 2025, at OhioHealth Mansfield, leaving behind a legacy that spans decades of dedication to Ashland, its people, and its traditions.
For Ashland County Pictures “ACP News,” Heyl’s passing feels especially personal. As a friend and frequent interview subject, Kenny was always willing to help share stories about the community he loved. “I just want to say thanks for all the laughs and for the time he spent helping with news stories,” Joe Lyons of ACP News said.
Born in Jackson, Mississippi, on August 2, 1946, while his parents, Leo K. and Ada B. (Hershey) Heyl, were stationed there during World War II, Kenny spent nearly his entire life in Ashland County. A 1965 graduate of Ashland High School, he went on to earn degrees from Ashland College and the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. He became the third-generation owner of Heyl Funeral Home, a cornerstone of the Ashland community for over 102 years, where the business continues to serve local families.
But Kenny Heyl was far more than a funeral director. He was a tireless advocate for his hometown, a man who poured his time and resources into causes he believed in—often quietly, without seeking recognition. Among his most notable contributions was his role as a co-founder of the Ashland Downtown Dream Cruise & Car Show, which draws thousands of visitors and hundreds of vehicles each year while raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for the Shop with a Cop program.
“Kenny was a cheerleader for Ashland,” said Mayor Matt Miller, reflecting on Heyl’s passing during an interview. “I still have three voicemails from him on my phone—upbeat, positive, talking about how much he loved this community. Beyond his work, he gave so much back, from helping with the car show to raising money for Shop with a Cop. He had a huge heart and has left a lasting mark on Ashland.”
Detective Kara Pearce of the Ashland Police Division, who oversees the Shop with a Cop program, said Heyl’s passing leaves a major void in the community effort he championed. “I am deeply saddened by the passing of our friend, Kenny. He was very dedicated to helping the children of the Ashland County community. He will be truly missed.”
Longtime friend Carl Richert, who took over as chairman of the Dream Cruise in 2024 at Kenny’s request, shared his heartfelt farewell:
“GOODBYE TO A GOOD FRIEND. Kenny Heyl and I went to school together, we went to car shows together, I’ve taken Kenny out for his birthdays, I’ve escorted many of his business’s funeral escorts, and we worked together on the Ashland Dream Cruise for years. When he decided he wanted to slow down a little, he asked me to take over his position as chairman of the Dream Cruise. I was honored and accepted in 2024. Kenny had a few hospital stays in the last couple of years, and I was able to visit him every couple days until he was feeling better. We’d meet other Mopar guys who loved our brand of cars and trucks. Kenny owned a canary yellow Roadrunner since he was a senior in high school. We met at Denny’s and later Perkins to have breakfast, talking nonstop about cars or trucks—but most of all, we were all friends for life. Kenny was a person who loved his friends, his community, and really cared about doing the right thing. He called me a while back about the vandalism at the Ashland Cemetery veterans section—he was really upset about the damage and couldn’t believe someone would do something like that to our cemetery. Kenny, you and God can work on this problem together. Your family and your friends will really miss you and your wisdom. Keep your foot on the gas, big guy…”
The Ashland Downtown Dream Cruise & Car Show, in a statement, called Heyl “the heart of the event,” adding, “Ken always said the car show committee was ‘the best he ever worked with,’ and that was because of his leadership and dedication to our group. Rest in peace, Kenny.”
Fellow car enthusiasts and friends also shared their grief and memories. Jake Dull, co-founder with Heyl of “Hot Rods Take Back the Streets,” wrote in a tribute post, “It saddens me to be here making this post, but I feel my fellow hotrodders would like to know. Kenny Heyl, our group’s co-founder, has passed away. Many knew Kenny as the funny, ornery car guy with the light yellow Roadrunner. He was that and so much more. He was the guy you could talk to for hours about anything, and you’d never know where the conversation would end up.”
Heyl’s love for cars was matched only by his devotion to his community and family. He was a longtime member and supporter of numerous organizations, including the Ashland Noon Lions, Ashland Masonic Lodge #151 F&AM, Elks 1360, the Ohio Funeral Directors Association, the Ohio Embalmers Association, and the Ohio Disaster Response Team. He also played roles in the Ashland BalloonFest, Traveling Trainmen of Ohio, and the National MOPAR Owners Association.
Friends and loved ones remember him not just for his civic contributions but also for his humor, kindness, and ability to make everyone feel welcome. “He was quick to share a joke, quick to lend a hand, and quick to remind us all why community matters,” his son Tyler Heyl shared.
Kenny is survived by his wife, Laura (Humphrey) Heyl, whom he married on February 14, 2010; his two children, Tyler Heyl of Ashland and Jodi (Chris) Vanmeter of Ashland; four stepchildren, Lisa Busby of Ashland, Amy (Cindy) Cadle of Massillon, Mandy (Nelson) Morales of Columbus, and Ted (Tiffany) Humphrey of Canton; grandchildren Sara, Jordan, Cooper (Kimberly), and Leo; eleven step-grandchildren; and many close friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, a granddaughter, Kearston Heyl, and step-son-in-law Chris Busby.
A private family burial will take place at Ashland Cemetery. Friends and community members are invited to a celebration of Kenny’s life on August 8, 2025, at Grace Church, 1144 West Main Street, Ashland, with visitation from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., followed by a service at 3:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Shop with a Cop, 1211 East Main Street, Ashland, Ohio 44805, a cause dear to Kenny’s heart.
For those who knew Kenny Heyl, his absence will be deeply felt—but his laughter, leadership, and love for Ashland will continue to echo through the car shows, community programs, and countless lives he touched.