Walter John Younker, age 91, of Antonino, Kansas, died Thursday, September 24, 2020, at Via Christi Village Care Center, Hays, Kansas. He was born on March 6, 1929, in Hyacinth, Kansas to John and Agnes (Spies) Younker. He married Mary (Dinkel) on August 22, 1949, at St. Fidelis Catholic Church in Victoria, Kansas. Together they raised four children.
He started his career in the grocery store business after his graduation from the 8th grade, eventually becoming the store manager of Safeway in Russell, Kansas, and then IGA in Hays. His customers knew him as “Wally” then in 1969, he transitioned to a full-time farmer north of Antonino. He attended Star and Silverdale schools in rural Ellis County. During his retirement, he enjoyed meeting up with his Hays Sale Barn buddies weekly and tending to his cattle herd.
He was a member of Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church in Antonino. He served as President of the Ellis County Farm Bureau and was instrumental in the creation of Rural Water District Ellis County1C.
Survivors include his wife. Mary, of the home; two sons, David Younker, Hays, KS; Dale Younker and wife, Paula, Jetmore, KS; two daughters, Dianne DeGood and husband, Alan, Goddard, KS; Donna Myers and husband, Patrick, Lawrence, KS; one sister, Twila Griffin, Weatherford, OK; one sister-in-law, Rita Younker, Plainville, KS; six grandchildren, Kerrie Mayans (Jason), Melissa Opbroek (Aaron), Brandy Leon (Nick), and Julia Myers, Brad Younker (Jessica), and Brian Younker (Carmon); 13 great-grandchildren, Elizabeth Mayans, Madeline Mayans, Cecilia Mayans, Charlotte Mayans, Carlie Younker, Camryn Younker, Leyah Younker, Lyndi Younker, Cadynce Leon, McKenna Leon; Alex Mayans, Carter Opbroek, Paxton Leon.
He was preceded in death by three sisters, Lucille Staab, Catherine Schmidt, and Florine Sanders; one brother, Clarence Younker; two great grandchildren, Lakin Younker, and Olivia Mayans.
A private graveside service will be held on Saturday, September 26, 2020, at Our Lady Help of Christian Cemetery, Antonino Cemetery with Father Harvey Dinkel O.F.M. Cap.
Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, a Mass of Christian Burial will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Our Lady Help of Christians Church or Via Christi Village Care Center in care of the mortuary.
Services are entrusted to Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601.
Condolences can be sent via e-mail to [email protected] or can be left at guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com