James J. “Jim” Thyfault, 86, Hays, died Wednesday, March 4, 2020 at Via Christi Village.
He was born September 16, 1933 in Damar, Kansas the son of George and Irene (Thyfault) Thyfault. In 1951 he graduated from Damar High School. He served in the United States Army during the Korean War. On June 1, 1957 he was united in marriage to Marilyn M. Shook in Damar, and they celebrated 59 years of marriage before she preceded him in death on September 21, 2016. He was an alfalfa farmer north of Damar, and his memberships included the Third Degree Knights of Columbus Council #6984, Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus Bishop Cunningham Assembly, where he served as faithful navigator, the Hays American Legion Post #173, Rooks County Fair Board, and District Deputy for Lions Club International. He enjoyed all sports and was a loyal supporter of the Hays Larks and Fort Hays State University sports, especially softball and baseball. His hobbies included going to car races, playing cards, flower gardening, and woodworking. He took pride in making grandfather clocks for each of his children and mantel clocks for his grandchildren.
Survivors include two sons; Greg Thyfault of Topeka and Daniel Thyfault and wife Rhonda of Hill City, three daughters; Pamela Rudman and husband Ron of Palco, Laurie Allen of Hays, and Angela Brand and husband Olivier of Park City, UT, a son-in-law; Ron Haselhorst and wife Jo of Illinois, sixteen grandchildren; Rachel, Tara, Clayton (Mary, Chet (Sarah, Jacob (Becca) Dominic (Nikki, Patrick, Betsy, Jasmine (Tyler, Landon, Cody, Jessica (Tucker, Sarah, Andy, Jake, and Luc, seven great grandchildren; Callie, Derrick, Jacob, Georgia, Lola, Gus, and Piper, four sisters; Pat Sis of Grand Junction, CO, Mary Engel and husband Ron of Norman, OK, Trudy Deges of Damar, and Cathy Smee and husband John of Stillwater, OK, a sister-in-law; Wanda Thummel and husband Ralph of Hays, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife; Marilyn, a daughter; Christel Haselhorst, three grandchildren; Andrew Rudman, Joshua Brand, and Michael Thyfault, a brother; Clarence Thyfault, two sisters; Louise Newell and Annette Rohr, and four brothers-in-law.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Monday, March 9, 2020 at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Fr. Brian Lager officiating. 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 Sunday and from 9:00 am until 9:45 on Monday, all at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home. The Bishop Cunningham Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus will stand honor guard from 5:30 pm until 6:30, a vigil service will be at 6:30 pm, followed by a combined Third and Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus Rosary, all on Sunday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to St. John’s Chapel at Via Christi Village. Condolences and memories of Jim may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com