The only cemetery Shawnee County owns is up for new management. County commissioners want to make changes at West Lawn Memorial Cemetery near I-70 and Auburn Road. The county is trying to attract bidders for the management contract.

Charlie Heinsohn has been associated with West Lawn for some 45 years, and now he faces the possibility of being forced out of his manager's job. More than 3 thousand people are buried at West Lawn. Heinsohn has overseen more than half of the funerals and has spent 45 years in cemetery services there. Heinsohn said West Lawn is like a home to him and his duties mean more than the average job.

The county has now sent request for proposal forms to about 15 mortuaries, cemeteries and landscaping businesses. The forms offer an opportunity to manage West Lawn Memorial Cemetery.

Now, Heinsohn said he must reapply for one of the only jobs he's ever known.

"They really have to watch who they hire, if it's not us, people could really do danger in taking care of a cemetery,” warned Heinsohn.

“We are very concerned that the facility may not be where we want it to be and that's part of the driver behind this whole idea, is getting the facility to that level,” said Shawnee County Parks and Recreation Director John Kennedy.

Whatever the results, Heinsohn just hopes his work at the cemetery isn't cut short.

“It’ll be a sad day if I have to load my equipment up, but that's the reality here is we don’t win,” said Heinsohn.

Proposal forms are available at the Shawnee County Clerks Office and a county review board will make recommendations for West Lawn's management by October 1st.

West Lawn came under county management after financial troubles brought on by a former manager back in 2005.