(KAIR)--A Holton man is dead following what authorities believe was a drowning in Jackson County.

Sheriff Tim Morse identifies the victim as 78-year-old Dan Mehringer, whose body was found Sunday near a kayak in the water on the northwest side of Banner Creek Reservoir, located west of Holton.

Morse says his office received an emergency call shortly before 3:00 Sunday afternoon reporting the discovery of the body.

Mehringer was reported to have been boating in the kayak at the time of the drowning.

Morse says he was found wearing a life jacket.

Mehringer was pronounced dead at the scene.

His body has been sent for an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

Morse says the long-time Holton resident is being remembered as “a kind and caring person, who helped others, and always had something positive to say.”

The Sheriff's Office was assisted at the scene by the Holton Police and Fire Departments, the Potawatomi Tribal Fire Department, the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism, and Jackson County EMS.