Herbert P. “Herb” Dechant, 92, Hays, died Friday, February 18, 2022, at HaysMed.
He was born December 30, 1929, in Gorham, Kansas the third of thirteen children of Frank and Margaret (Rohr) Dechant. He was drafted into the U.S. Marine Corps, serving from 1951-1953 during the Korean War. On January 5, 1959 he was united in marriage to Viola Holzmeister in Wichita, and they were married nearly 63 years before she preceded him in death on November 11, 2021. Herb worked for Pierce Schippers Construction for many years and at Hays Medical Center in the maintenance department, retiring in 1999. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Hays American Legion Post #173, and Hays VFW Post #9076. Herb enjoyed fishing, and was a talented woodworker and Jack-of-all-trades who could repair anything. He looked forward to the variety of flowers that would bloom in his yard each spring and summer and was a master vegetable gardener who generously shared his produce with others.
Survivors include his three sons: Raymond Dechant and wife Lori of Dodge City, and Brian Dechant and Eric Dechant, both of Hays, two daughters: Joan Freeman and husband Sam of Ellinwood and Myra Kreutzer of Hays, three brothers: Eugene Dechant of Seattle, WA, Duane Dechant of Kansas City, and Harold Dechant and wife Madeline of Virginia, five sisters: Betty Ann Knoll of Liberal, Barbara Jean Zerr and husband Henry of Garden City, Marietta Dechant of Casper, WY, Roseline Ziegler of Englewood, CO, and Ann Ziegler of Olmitz, 13 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Viola, two brothers: Virgil and Alvin Dechant, two sisters: Irene Sander and Evelyn Erickson, and a grandson Curtis Jacob Dechant.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Wednesday, February 23, 2022, at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Fr. Richard Daise officiating. Burial with military honors by the Hays VFW Post #9076 Honor Guard will follow in the Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery, WaKeeney. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Tuesday and from 9:00 am until 9:45 on Wednesday, all at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home. A vigil service and rosary will be at 6:30 pm on Tuesday at the funeral home.
Memorials are suggested to the Hays VFW Post #9076. Condolences and memories of Herb may be shared his family at www.haysmemorial.com