James P. “Jim” Dinkel, 71, Hays, died Sunday, September 13, 2020 at HaysMed.
He was born October 26, 1948 in Hays, the son of Joe S. and Pauline (Karlin) Dinkel. In 1966 Jim graduated from Victoria High School. From 1968 until 1970 he was a Military Policeman in the United States Army, stationed in Korea. On November 25, 1968 he was united in marriage to Peggy A. Leiker at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, and they celebrated 51 years of marriage. For many years he delivered milk for LK Dairy, and then was the maintenance director at The Mall. He was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, he sang Taps with the VFW Post #9076 Honor Guard for many years, and was a lifetime member of VFW Post #9076. He enjoyed woodworking, gardening, and was an avid Kansas City Chiefs fan. Most of all, he loved his family and attending his children’s and grandchildren’s events.
Survivors include his wife Peggy, of the home in Hays, a son; Danny Dinkel and wife Jill of Hays, three daughters; Lori Post and husband Shad of Hays, Amy Ames and husband Eric of Lee’s Summit, MO, and Sarah Koelling and husband Jeffrey of Overland Park, Kansas, three brothers; Melvin Dinkel and wife Clarita of Hays, Delmar Dinkel of Hays, and Kenny Dinkel and wife Marjorie of Plainville, three sisters; Dorothy Jacobs of Hays, Lucy Brown of Victoria, and Donna Deckman and husband Joe of Hays, 11 grandchildren; Josh Post and wife Sarah, Alyssa Moeder and husband Trey, Ryan Post and fiancé Shay, Sophie and Connor Ames, Emma, Caden, Colin, and Haven Dinkel, and Scarlett and Hudson Koelling, and four great grandchildren; Mayci, Brooke, Lydia, and Gage, and one expected soon.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother; Frank Dinkel, and two brothers-in-law; Clarence “Bud” Jacobs and Robert Brown.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Wednesday, September 16, 2020 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. Burial with military honors by the Hays VFW Post #9076 Honor Guard 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. A vigil service and rosary will be at 6:30 pm on Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to TMP-Marian High School or to the VFW Post #9076 Honor Guard. Condolences and memories of Jim may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com