V. Jean Dechant age 89, of Hays, Kansas, passed away on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at Hays Medical Center, Hays, Kansas. She was born June 27, 1936, to William J. and Rosina M. (Denning) Bieker.
She married Vernon F. “Booby” Dechant on October 20, 1953, at Ellis, Kansas. He preceded her in death on February 29, 2008.
Jean worked at Dillons Vine Street Store for over 30 years in the bakery, as a cashier, and in the video department until she retired. She grew up and attended school in Ellis, Kansas.
She attended Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church and enjoyed cooking for her large family gatherings. Her family and grandchildren were very important to her.
Jean is survived by her children, Debbie Haynes and husband, Jerry, Hays, KS; Kathy Schuckman and husband, Fred, Victoria, KS; Lois Koerner and husband, Don, Hays, KS; Sharon Befort and husband, Clayton, Hays, Kansas; Keith Dechant and wife, Brenda, Hays, KS; her grandchildren, Brian Haynes (Kristie); Steve Haynes (Darcy); Kevin Haynes (Emilee); Chrissy (the late Darren Haynes); Lindsay Anderson (Dustin); Fred Schuckman (Marie); Nolan Schuckman; Renee Dreiling (Matt); Sarah van Straaten (Michael); Chad Befort (fiancé Jenn Mucha); Cole Befort; Cory Befort (Brittany); Jessie Groff (Justin); Jake Dechant (Gabby); and her 21 great grandchildren.
Jean is preceded in death by her parents, William and Rosina Bieker; her husband, Vernon “Booby” Dechant; her brother, Ralph and sister-in-law Pat Bieker; and her grandson, Darren Haynes.
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be at 10:00 A.M. Friday, March 27, 2026, at Celebration Community Church, I-70 and Exit 157, Hays, Kansas, with Pastor Brant Rice, Officiating. Followed by Graveside Services at 11:00 A.M. at Saint Joseph Cemetery, Hays, Kansas with Father Fred Gatschet, Officiating.
The family will receive friends from 9:00 to 10:00 A.M. Friday, at Celebration Community Church.
The family suggests memorials made payable to: Hays Medical Center Foundation for [Cardiac Progressive Care Unit] in care of Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601.
Condolences can be emailed to clineschapels@gmail.com or left at the guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com
The funeral service will be live streamed at the following link www.facebook.com/c3hays