Silver Dawn Van Wey, 40, a beloved daughter, sister, and friend passed away unexpectedly on Monday, March 30th, 2026, at HaysMed – Hays, KS.
Silver was born in Beloit, KS on August 25th, 1985, to Donald and Sandra Van Wey. She grew up in Downs, KS with her parents and older sister, Sabrina (Hedding). Silver attended Downs High School, graduating in 2003 as part of the last Downs Dragon class.
Silver dealt with many health issues growing up, spending many visits in hospitals and having many surgeries. This history fostered her love for health care. She completed CNA training at age 16 and began working in the Osborne, KS nursing home. After graduating high school, she attended North Central Technical College in Beloit, KS and completed her LPN license. She continued to work in various nursing homes in Osborne, Plainville, and Hays. She completed her RN license in 2016 through Colby Community College. She became a CNA/CMA instructor at North Central Technical College in Hays, KS, in 2018. She continued her education by earning her Bachelor’s of Nursing through Grand Canyon University in 2022.
Silver moved to Plainville, KS, in 2004 where she began working at Redbud Village Nursing Home while attending North Central Technical College in Hays, KS. Later in life, she moved in with her parents to assist in their care. They all moved to Hays in 2024 to be closer to her work. Silver continued to work as an instructor at North Central Technical College until her death.
Silver dedicated her life and death to healthcare. She was an organ donor; after her death, her organs were gifted to others.
Silver was always known as the life of the party. She enjoyed having fun and living life to its fullest. She loved her family, friends, pets, and students. She was a devoted daughter and a loving sister, doing everything in her power to help in times of need. She loved her niece and nephew as if they were her own children. She would often be seen at any number of sporting events (even though she may not have understood the rules) supporting her niece and nephew.
Silver was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents Robert and Betty (Staley) Eakin; paternal grandparents Robert and Wilma (Duncan) Van Wey; and several aunts, uncles and cousins. However, her most joyous reunion would be at the rainbow bridge with Bridget, Axel, Coco, Sammy, Gizmo, and Eli. Silver is survived by her parents Donald and Sandra (Eakin) Van Wey, her sister Sabrina (Van Wey) Hedding, her nephew Theoden Hedding, and her niece Eowyn Hedding. Silver’s legacy will continue through her family, friends, and students.
Memorial Services and a Celebration of Silver's Life will be Sunday, April 12, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Fort Hays Tech | North Central - Hays Campus - Dreiling Building, 2205 Wheatland Ave, Hays, KS 67601.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Fort Hays Tech Nursing Program and/or The Humane Society of the High Plains, in care of the funeral chapel.
Cremation under the direction of Keithley Funeral Homes and Crematory - Brock's Chapel, 2509 Vine Street Hays, KS 67601.
Memories and words of comfort may be shared with Silver's family on her tribute page via: www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com