Chester Neil DeWerff, 89, of Monkey Island, Ok and formerly of Hays, Ks, passed away on Wednesday, June 25, 2025 in Grove, Ok. He was born on February 12, 1936 in Great Bend, Ks to Chester Leon and Clara (Scheufler) DeWerff.
Neil was raised near Ellinwood, Ks on the family dairy farm, where his strong work ethic and his Christian faith were instilled. He graduated in 1954 from Ellinwood High School, where he had been a standout athlete and quarterback of the undefeated football team. Neil played football and basketball on scholarship at Emporia State University and earned 3-year varsity honors and a Bachelor’s degree in Education.
Neil began his career at Sabetha High School, coaching basketball and golf for six years. His basketball team famously won the Dodge City Tournament of Champions, a rare feat for the small school. Neil moved to Colby and coached at the high school for 14 years. He led the basketball team to four consecutive state tournaments, culminating with the state championship in 1970 and a perfect 25-0 record. His Colby golf teams won state championships in 1973 and 1976. At his retirement, his career basketball coaching record was 337-99.
Neil became the Golf Course Superintendent at Smoky Hill Country Club in Hays. Under his leadership, it became one of Kansas’ top courses. Neil served as consultants to many area golf courses and was a member of the Golf Course Superintendent Association. While at Smoky Hill, he also served as the Commissioner of the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference. After leaving Smoky Hill, he served as the Superintendent of the Ellis Golf Club in Ellis, Ks for 17 years. Neil was an outstanding golfer in his own right and a true devotee of the game.
Neil is survived by his wife, Belinda (Steckline) DeWerff of Monkey Island, OK; sons, Joe DeWerff (Kathy) of Topeka, KS and Mike DeWerff (Tammy) of Gulf Shores, AL; daughter, Lindsay Taylor (Adam) of Wichita, KS; sister, Virginia Smith (Ed) of Sun City, AZ; grandchildren, Megan Tadlock (Jared) of Fairmont, WV, Molly DeWerff of Topeka, Kelsey Alvarez (Ben) of Olive Branch, MS, Matt DeWerff of Memphis, TN, and Kinley, Kasen, Kallan, and Viviana Taylor of Wichita; and great-grandchildren, Brooklyn, Leo, and Landon.
He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Vernon DeWerff, Kenneth DeWerff, and Edith Meyer.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 215 W. 13th St., Hays, KS. Burial will follow at 2:30 PM in the Ellinwood Cemetery.
Visitation will be Tuesday, July 1, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM with a vigil and rosary at 7:00 PM at St. Joseph’s Church.
Additional visitation will be Wednesday, July 2, from 8:30 to 9:30 AM at Keithley Funeral Homes and Crematory – Brock’s Chapel, 2509 Vine, Hays.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Thomas County Community Foundation (TCCF) in honor of Coach Neil DeWerff. Donations will benefit the Colby high school basketball program and may be mailed to the funeral home or TCCF at 350 S. Range Avenue, Colby 67701.
The service will be live-streamed on the Keithley Funeral Homes Facebook page via www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com under the “Resources” tab.
Memories and condolences may be shared at Neil’s tribute page on the website.