Smith Center - Don Royce Wichers, 79, passed away Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Wichita, KS. He was born on December 19, 1944, in Hutchison, KS to C.D. “Doc” and Joyce A. (Bos) Wichers. He was the 3rd child of 4, having 3 sisters: Doris, Delores and Vickie. The family moved to a homestead outside of Dispatch KS. He attended school in Downs, KS, graduating in 1962.
Don lived in Smith Center for over 50 years; working and raising his family. He served as a Deacon at the First Christian Church in Smith Center.
Don loved to hunt, fish, and camp. He fished in innumerable tournaments, and he hunted many big bucks in the area. In his early years, he was an avid racecar driver, driving the famous #45. He won the Red Cloud, NE Speedbowl track championship and popular driver awards in the early 70’s. He had a 1925 Ford Model “T” Sinclair gas delivery wagon that he drove in the Old Settler’s Day parade for many years. In his retirement years, he enjoyed woodworking and tinkering on little projects.
He is preceded in death by both parents and his older sister and husband, Doris and Larry Haas.
His survivors include his wife Judy (Miller), his children, Donna Carter (Jeff) of Bel Aire, KS, Deitra “Dee” Losey (Mark) of Agra, KS, Don Wichers of Chama, NM, and Royce Wichers of Hays, KS and his stepchildren, Brad Schoen (Susan) of Manhattan, KS, Stacey Pasch (Ken) of Longmont, CO, and Amy Atlee (Tom) of Broomfield, CO; two sisters, Delores “Dee” VanderGeisen (Gene) of Rock Valley, IA and Vickie Collicott (Joe) of Cozad, NE; he was blessed with numerous grandkids, great grandkids, nieces, nephews, family and friends.
A community remembrance & luncheon will be held on Friday, July 26, 2024, from 11:30 am – 2:30 p.m., at the VFW Post 1141, 602 A. St., Smith Center, KS. Memorials may be given to the Don R. Wichers Memorial Fund and can be sent in care of All Faiths Funeral Chapel, 113 S. Madison St., Smith Center, KS 66967.