Alfred Joseph 'Al' Schuster, 89, Hays, died Sunday, September 14, 2025 at his home surrounded by his family.
Alfred was born November 5, 1935 in the family Trego County farmhouse, the son of Joe and Theresia (Aschenbrenner) Schuster. He grew up on the farm near Cedar Bluff Lake, attended St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ellis, and in 1953, graduated from Brownell High School. Alfred served in the U.S. Army from 1954-1956, achieving the rank of Private First Class, and then continued his education at Fort Hays State University where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in geology. On May 9, 1959, he was united in marriage to Phyllis Brull in Hays, and together they raised three daughters, Sherri, Gerri, and Barbara. In 1962, Alfred moved his young family to the house he and his father-in-law, Ralph Brull, built on the northeast corner of Ralph’s farm. Phyllis preceded Alfred in death on February 11, 2006 after nearly 47 years of marriage. Alfred worked for Schwaller Lumber Company in Hays and then became a Wichita Local 441 Union plumber and pipe fitter for the remainder of his career, retiring at the age of 62. After retirement, he enjoyed working on the farm and raising cattle.
Alfred was a member of St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church and the Hays American Legion Post #173.
Survivors include his daughters, Sherri (Rick) Underwood of Gorham, Gerri (Brad) Kielhofner of Springfield, MO, and Barbara (Steve) Tremblay of St. Charles, MO, his sister Carol (Joe) Eckhardt of Topeka, six grandchildren, Jared (Catherine) Tremblay, Gail (Michael) Clark, Thomas Kielhofner, Diane (Sandy) McGraw, Jane Kielhofner, and Stephen Kielhofner, four great grandchildren, Opal Tremblay, William Clark, Mabel Clark, and Poppy McGraw, two sisters-in-law, Geraldine Pfeifer of Hays and Susan (Mick) Billinger of Hays, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife Phyllis, his parents, his sister Dorothy Walker, and his brother Ralph Schuster.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Friday, September 19, 2025 at St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church with Fr. Damian Richards officiating. Burial with military honors by the Hays VFW Post #9076 Honor Guard and the Hays American Legion Post #173 will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6:00 pm until 8:00 on Thursday and from 9:00 am until 9:45 on Friday, all at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home. A vigil service and rosary will be at 7:00 pm on Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to HaysMed Hospice and condolences and memories of Alfred may be shared with his family at www.haysmemorial.com