Emanuel F. “Manny” Befort, age 90, of Ellis, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, November 11, 2020, at the Good Samaritan Society, Ellis. He was born June 5, 1930 in Hays, Kansas, to John A. and Agnes A. (Kuhn) Befort. He graduated from Ellis High School in 1948. On May 24, 1955, he married Darlene (Haas) at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ellis.
Manny owned Western Home Improvements in Ellis and retired from Pepsi in 1995. After retiring from Pepsi he took care of St. Mary’s Cemetery in Ellis and did maintenance for Henry Schwaller & Associates of Hays for 18 years. He served in the US Army and was a member of St. Mary’s Church in Ellis and a 3rd degree Ellis Knights of Columbus member. Manny was an avid woodworker as well.
He is survived by his wife, Darlene of Ellis; three sons, Steve (Stacy) Befort of Ellis, Bill Befort of Lee Summit, MO and John (Kim) Befort of Ellis; three daughters, Sherry (Tom) Payne of Hays, Kathy Zerfas of Ellis and Tammy (Casey) Rudd of Bucklin, Kansas; 17 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Herman and Alvin Befort and four sisters, Lioba Honas, Mary Weber, Tina Honas and Ruby Seidel.
Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Saturday, November 14, 2020, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ellis. Burial will follow in the St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Visitation will be Saturday, 9:30 AM until service time with a rosary service at 10:30 all at the church.
In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to St. Mary’s Cemetery Fund or St. Mary’s Church.
Arrangements in care of Keithley Funeral Chapel 400 E. 17th Ellis, KS 67637.
Condolences may be left by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or by email at [email protected]