Jerome Francis Vajnar, age 82, of Hays, Kansas, passed away on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at KU Medical Center in Kansas City. He was born on July 29, 1943, in Tampa, Kansas, to Jerry and Mildred (Holub) Vajnar.
Jerome graduated from Tampa High School in 1961 and later earned his bachelor’s degree from Emporia State University. He first married Florence Jirak, and together they were blessed with four children: Curtis, Jason, Matthew, and Amy. Though their marriage later ended in divorce, they shared the gift of a family that remained an important part of Jerome’s life. Flo passed away in 2023. He later married Cynthia Garrett. On July 17, 2015, Jerome married Carol (Cramton) in Kansas City, Missouri.
Jerome was a hardworking and respected businessman whose career was built on determination and a steady sense of purpose. He began as an accountant with General Motors and later became an insurance agent with State Farm Insurance in Burlington, Kansas. He purchased his own insurance and real estate company and grew it into three successful locations throughout Coffey County, Kansas. He took pride in his work, but even more so in the life he built for those he loved.
Jerome enjoyed playing golf and was known for sticking with his irons, never quite making peace with a driver or other woods. He loved discussing politics and was never shy about sharing his thoughts, even if the conversation sometimes went a little longer than others expected. He was an avid reader, enjoyed travel, had an interest in real estate, and loved baseball especially watching the Kansas City Royals. Jerome also lived his faith through service as an active member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Munjor, Kansas where he was currently serving on the parish council.
He is survived by his wife, Carol Vajnar of the home; his sons, Curtis Vajnar and wife Mary Ella of Antonino, Kansas, and Jason Vajnar and wife Kerri of Plains, Kansas; his daughter, Amy Vajnar and partner Lise of Lake Tapawingo, Missouri, and his daughter-in-law Diana Vajnar of Rossville, Kansas. He is also survived by his stepchildren Meredith and Benjamin; his sisters, Jane Combs of Newton, Kansas, and Vickie Kraus of Marion, Kansas; his brother, Lynn Vajnar and wife Connie of Newton, Kansas; his grandchildren, Conrad (Haley), Colton (Hayley), Cyrus, Mary Elizabeth, Cannon, Owen, Lucy, Aaron (Maria), Katherine, Tobias, Ian, Emily (Blake), and Abigail; and his great-grandchildren, Mary May, Leo John, and Matthew Joseph.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his son, Matthew Vajnar.
Funeral services will be at 10:00 AM Saturday, March 28, 2026, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Munjor, Kansas. Private family burial will take place in Pilsen, Kansas.
Memorial visitation will be Friday from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, with a family-led rosary at 7:00 PM, all at Keithley Funeral Home-Brock’s Chapel, 2509 Vine, Hays, KS 67601.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association or toward his grandchildren’s education fund. Checks for the education fund may be made payable to Carol Vajnar.
Please share memories of Jerome on his tribute page at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com.