LaVon McGinnis, 87, Hays, died Tuesday, April 1, 2025 at Via Christi Village.
She was born July 27, 1937 in Hays, the daughter of Paul and Catherine (Schlyer) Schumacher. In 1955, LaVon graduated from Girls Catholic High School, and on September 1, 1958, she was united in marriage to Donald E. “Don” McGinnis in Hays. Don and LaVon loved dancing together at weddings and celebrated 55 years of marriage before he preceded her in death on April 8, 2014. She worked at Baxter Travenol, Hays International Mailing, Schumacher Shoe Store, and was a bus monitor for the USD 489 Head Start program. LaVon was a woman of deep faith and a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church where she was a minister of Holy Communion at mass and to the homebound, and with Don, taught CCD classes.
LaVon enjoyed sewing, embroidery, crocheting, tending to her flower and vegetable gardens, canning produce, and crafting her own beef jerky recipe. Most of all, she was a loving homemaker and a great cook, making delicious meals with tasty desserts for her family.
Survivors include her three sons, Chuck McGinnis of Hays, Mike McGinnis and wife Carol of San Marcos, California, and Tony McGinnis of Wichita, four daughters, Pat Hammerschmidt of Hays, Myrna McGinnis and partner Loretta Fletcher of Wichita, Kathy McGinnis and partner J.J. Legleiter of Hays, and Barb Herrman and husband Troy of Hutchinson, seven grandchildren, Allie Nicholson and husband Andrew, Kirstin Benedict, Blake McGinnis, Ryan Hammerschmidt, Brandon Herrman, Shayde McGinnis, and Tobyn McGinnis, and two great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, a son-in-law Bob Hammerschmidt, and one sister.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church with Fr. Brian McCaffrey officiating. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Monday and from 9:00 am until 9:45 on Tuesday, all at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home. A parish vigil service and rosary will be at 6:30 pm on Monday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to HaysMed Hospice. Condolences and memories of LaVon may be shared with her family at www.haysmemorial.com