Donald L. “Donny” Schumacher, 88, Hays, died Friday, September 18, 2026 at Via Christi Village.
He was born November 9, 1937 in Schoenchen, the son of Isidor and Cecilia (Dinges) Schumacher. He graduated from St. Joseph’s Military Academy, attended the seminary for two years, and served in the National Guard. On September 28, 1959 Donny was united in marriage to Karen J. Kryzer in Schoenchen, and they celebrated 59 years of marriage before she preceded him in death on November 20, 2018.
At a young age, Donny worked for his father at Schumacher Construction. He was a hardworking and skilled masonry contractor, and a co-owner of D&S Masonry with Bob Dinges. After Bob’s death in 2008, he became sole owner of D&S Masonry and D&S Farms and farmed for 30 years, retiring in 2021. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, the St. Anthony Third Degree Knights of Columbus Council #4166, Bishop Cunningham Fourth Degree Assembly #282, and the Red Angus Association. Donny was a Kansas City Chiefs fan and he supported the ACE Auction and numerous charitable organizations including Ducks Unlimited and Pheasants Forever.
Survivors include his children Tanya Staats and husband Brian of Great Bend, Todd Schumacher and wife Melissa of Topeka, and Ty Schumacher of Hays, his sisters Evelyn Dreher and husband Elmer of Hays, Dolores VonFeldt and husband Gary of Hays, and Carol Staab of Thornton, Colorado, his grandchildren Cody Schumacher and wife Taryn, Courtney Stapleton and husband Anthony, Connor Schumacher and wife Madi, Charell Owings and husband Jeremy, Cierra Einsel and husband Darin, Anna Rous, and Chanelle Staats, 10 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Karen, a grandson Collin Rous, and his brothers Marvin, Ralph, Eddie, Cletus, Francis, and Melvin.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Wednesday, September 23, 2026 at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Fr. Fred Gatschet officiating. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery. 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. The Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus will stand honor guard from 5:30 pm until 6:30, a vigil service will be at 6:30, followed by a combined Third and Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus Rosary, all on Tuesday at the funeral home. The family suggests memorials payable to St. Joseph Catholic Church for the Capital Campaign. Condolences and memories of Donny may be shared with his family at www.haysmemorial.com