Neal Walter Flesher, 86, Hays, died Friday, February 28, 2020 at Select Specialty Hospital in Wichita.
He was born May 8, 1933 in Scandia, Kansas the son of Kenneth Orville and Lillian Marie (Strand) Flesher. On July 26, 1951 he was united in marriage to Lorena Marie Charbonneau in St. Joseph, Kansas, and they celebrated over 68 years of marriage. In 1953 he was drafted into the United States Army and was a Corporal and a tank gunner in the Sixth Armored Division during the Korean War. For 47 years Neal worked in the grocery store business starting as manager of Boogaarts Fine Food Store, then area supervisor in Western Kansas for Bestyet Foods, and finally a salesman to grocery stores in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, and South Dakota. After retiring from the grocery store business, he drove to aquire used cars for automotive retailers. His memberships included Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Third Degree Knights of Columbus Council #6984, and for more than 50 years the Fourth Degree St. Pius X Assembly in Atwood. He enjoyed old time fiddle, guitar, banjo, Hawaiian guitar and gospel music, Ray Steven’s comedy, homemade ice cream, and gooseberry and raisin cream pies. He loved woodworking and helping his children and grandchildren with various building, repair, and landscaping projects.
Survivors include his wife Lorena of Wichita, three sons: Michael N. Flesher and wife Paula of Hays, Steven G. Flesher and wife Vicki of Wichita, and Kevin E. Flesher and wife Barbara of Brookfield, CO, a daughter: Lori A. Flesher of Hays, seven grandchildren: Neal J. Flesher and wife Kelly, Marjorie Flesher, Paul M. Flesher, Amanda Flesher, Andrew Flesher and wife Katie, Abigail Flesher, and Angela Flesher, three great grandchildren: Alexis Brockert, Nola Flesher, and Madelyn Sophie Flesher, a sister: Lorene Martin of Oskaloosa, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother; Raymond Flesher.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 AM on Friday, March 6, 2020 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church with Fr. Nick Parker officiating. Burial with military honors by the Hays VFW Post #9076 will follow in the St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 PM until 8:00 on Thursday and from 9:00 AM until 9:45 on Friday, all at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street. A vigil service will be at 6:30 PM followed by a Knights of Columbus rosary, all on Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Cancer Council of Ellis County and condolences and memories of Neal may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com