LaVerne N. Dinkel, 86, Ellis, died Friday, November 19, 2021, at home surrounded by his family.
He was born November 19, 1935, on the family farm southwest of Ellis, one of 15 children of Nicholas Andrew and Leoba (Geist) Dinkel. He attended country school until eighth grade then went to work for several local farmers. He served in the U.S. Army from 1954-1956 and was in the Army Reserve.
On January 2, 1960, he was united in marriage to Janice Schoenthaler in Wichita, and they celebrated 61 years of marriage. LaVerne was a trim carpenter and owned and operated Big D Construction. He trained his brothers in the trade and they went on to practice the trade with their own businesses. He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and his family and Catholic faith were very important to him. LaVerne enjoyed vegetable gardening and growing pumpkins, polka dancing and polka music, and playing Pinochle and Pitch. He faithfully attended his sons’ sporting events, and was a fan of the Denver Broncos, the New York Yankees, and women’s college basketball. He loved every moment with his grandchildren, especially when they would all eat ice cream right out of the carton.
Survivors include his wife Janice of Ellis, three sons: Dan Dinkel and fiancé Stephanie Desjarlais of Derby, Don Dinkel and wife Jan of Columbia, SC, and Daryl Dinkel and wife Corinne of Mack, CO, five brothers: LeRoy Dinkel and wife Helen of Lakewood, CO, Verlin Dinkel of Henderson, NV, Larry Dinkel of Ellis, Patrick Dinkel and wife Doris of Broomfield, CO, and Paul Dinkel of Stilwell, OK, three sisters: Mary Ann Legleiter of Hays, Florence Honas of Chanute, and Bernice Klaus and husband Kenneth of Salina, two grandchildren: Trent and Kayla Dinkel, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a son: Dave Dinkel, and six brothers: Markus, Marvin, Marvin, Allen, Kenneth, and Verlin Dinkel.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Tuesday, November 23, 2021, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Ellis, with Fr. Dana Clark officiating. Burial with military honors by the Hays VFW Post #9076 Honor Guard will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 6:00 pm until 8:00 on Monday and from 9:00 am until 10:00 on Tuesday, all at the church. Recitation of the rosary will be at 6:30 pm followed by a vigil service at 7:00, both on Monday at the church.
The family requests no flowers or plants and suggests memorials to St. Mary’s Catholic Church or to St. Mary’s School. Condolences and memories of LaVerne may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com