[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 149 (Thursday, September 14, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1231-E1232]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING DR. KENNETH J. AHLER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TODD ROKITA

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 14, 2017

  Mr. ROKITA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a great Hoosier, Dr. 
Kenneth J. Ahler

[[Page E1232]]

who passed away September 12, 2017. Not only was he a constituent in my 
district, but he was a great leader in the community.
  Dr. Ahler was born in Medaryville, Indiana in 1940 and has been a 
resident of Rensselaer for over 47 years. He was raised in Pulaski 
County where he graduated as valedictorian from Medaryville High 
School. He attended St. Joseph's College and graduated A.B. Magna Cum 
Laude in biology and valedictorian of his college class. He went on to 
attend Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis and 
received his M.D. in 1966. After his internship and residency at St. 
Joseph Hospital in South Bend, Indiana, Dr. Ahler served in the United 
States Air Force Medical Corps. He was Chief of Out-Patient Services at 
Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota. He returned to Indiana and 
married Mary Margaret O'Donnell and was a founding member of the Clinic 
of Family Medicine in Rensselaer.
  He was elected Jasper County Coroner in 1973 and served for two 
terms. Throughout his professional career he served on numerous medical 
organizations. He was a member of the St. Augustine Catholic Church in 
Rensselaer, the American Medical Association, a distinguished member of 
the Indiana Medical Association, the Jasper County Medical Society and 
more. He served the community further as a member of the Rensselaer 
Rotary Club, Executive Council member and President of the Sagamore 
Council Boy Scouts of America, Chairman of the Jasper County 
Development Foundation, a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus, and he was 
awarded a Sagamore of the Wabash in 2004.
  Dr. Ahler and I had a shared love for St. Joseph's College. Although 
we served at different times, both of us served the college as members 
of the Board of Trustees. I frequently heard from alumni about his 
affection for the students there and how they were always first in his 
mind when making decisions as a Trustee. It is no surprise to me that 
he was a favorite of those students for his dedication to his alma 
mater and those affiliated with the college.
  Dr. Ahler will join his beloved Mary Margaret in heaven, and leaves 
three children, thirteen grandchildren and one great-grandchild to 
carry on his legacy of service to Hoosiers. May Kenneth rest in peace, 
he will not be forgotten.

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