Kien Xavier Lopez, 18, of Ephrata, transitioned from this life into the next May 9, 2015.
Born in Ephrata he was the son of Lisa Dull Lopez of Ephrata and Rolando Lopez of Hamburg.
A graduate from Ephrata High School, Kien was a loving son and brother and a caring friend. He touched the lives of all who met him and was always willing to offer help to anyone in need. He liked to spend time outdoors, go to the movies and hang out at “the benches” with his friends.
In addition to his mother and father, he will be lovingly missed by his sister: Alex Lopez, Ephrata; grandfather: Lester Dull, Ephrata; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
He is preceded in death by his grandmother: Betty Dull.
A celebration of Kien’s life will be held on Saturday, May 16 at noon, preceded by a visitation from 10 a.m. to noon at the Richard H. Heisey Funeral Home, 216 S. Broad St., Lititz.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Richard H. Heisey Funeral Home, 216 S. Broad St. Lititz, PA 17543 to help Kien’s family offset the cost of the funeral.
To offer the family online condolences, visit richardheiseyfuneralhome.com.
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Saying goodbye to ‘Buddha’
Kien Xavier Lopez, a popular 18-year-old Ephrata High School senior, was killed in a one-car crash in Penn Township early Saturday morning.
His death caused an outpouring of farewells from friends and classmates who created a makeshift memorial at the Whistle Stop in downtown Ephrata.
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The wreck occurred on Route 322 near the Elizabeth Township line at 3:48 a.m.
Northern Lancaster County Regional Police said Lopez crashed going eastbound on Route 322, near the Lebanon-Lancaster county line. He was ejected when his vehicle left the roadway and crashed into a tree.
Though Lopez, called ‘Buddha’ by his friends, had been in trouble with authorities, school officials and others who work with at-risk kids said he had worked to straighten himself out.
He was going to graduate with his class at next month’s graduation ceremony at Ephrata High School, said Dan Mahlandt, coordinator of virtual learning at Washington Educational Center — a school for troubled youth.
“He will be missed by our staff at Washington as he brightened each day with the smile and upbeat conversation he brought to school,” Mahlandt said.
Ephrata School District provided a counseling team Monday at the high school, middle school, and at Washington for students and staff seeking support.
Brian Troop, Ephrata Superintendent, expressed sadness for the loss that spread throughout the district.
“It is a tragedy to have a student who should be preparing for his upcoming graduation taken at such young age,” Troop said. “We are hopeful that those who are dealing with this loss reach out to get the support they need.”
Mahlandt said Lopez “will be missed by his fellow students who could count on him to make them laugh even in the toughest of times.”
“He will be missed by his family who supported him in his goal to get his high school diploma,” Mahlandt said. “ Personally, I will miss working with a young man whose limitless potential matched his boundless spirit.”
Patrick Burns is a staff writer and social media editor for The Ephrata Review. He welcomes your questions and comments and can be reached at pburns.eph@lnpnews.com or at 721-4455.
The post Kien X. Lopez, 18, Ephrata, EHS grad, a caring friend, enjoyed the outdoors, helping others appeared first on Ephrata Review.