Henry Pfannenstiel

Henry Pfannenstiel, 97, Hays, died Monday, October 5, 2015 at the Hays Good Samaritan Society.

He was born January 6, 1918 in Munjor, Kansas the son of Martin and Catherine (Leiker) Pfannenstiel.  On November 12, 1945 he married Eugenia Lucille Deorsam in Munjor.  He was a Sergeant in the United States Army during World War II.  He was the first person drafted from Ellis County and was involved in numerous battles during the war.  He was in the first landing on the beaches of Normandy in Northern France, and was involved in the Battle of the Bulge, Rhineland, and Central Europe.  He was a machinist and shop foreman at S&W Supply for many years, was an antiques dealer, and owned and operated Jean’s Novelties.  He was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church and the Hays American Legion Post #173.  He enjoyed buying and selling antiques, fishing, gardening, and spending time with family and friends.

Survivors include his wife, Eugenia, of Hays, three sons;  Dennis T. Pfannenstiel and wife Crystal of Port St. Lucie, FL, Merle L. Pfannenstiel and wife Romey of Garland, TX, and Gary Pfannenstiel of Hays, five daughters;  Audrey Herold and husband Ron of Hays, Marsha Hupfer and husband Dennis of Shawnee, Brenda Kroeger, Karen Gilmore and husband Louie, and Pamela Allen, all of Hays, fourteen grandchildren, Dennis Pfannenstiel, Sheri Lynn Strickland, Joey Pfannenstiel, Steven Pfannenstiel, Robbie Herold, Valerie Schupman, Shireen Herold, Laura Bean, Rachel Hupfer, Josh Delcamp, Megan Solomon, Jenna Kroeger, Kristen Gilmore, and Caitlin Allen, and sixteen great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers Alfred and Rupert, two sisters Sophia Windholz and Philippa Pfannenstiel, half brothers Frank, Casper, Nick, Boniface, and Celestine, and half sisters Pauline Rupp and Mary Karlin.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 am on Saturday, October 10, 2015 at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 1805 Vine Street.  Burial with military honors by the Hays American Legion Post #173 honor guard will be in the St. Joseph Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Friday and from 9:00 am until 9:45 Saturday, all at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine.  A parish vigil service and rosary will be at 7:00 pm on Friday at the funeral home.  Memorials are suggested to Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church or to Hospice of Hays Medical Center, in care of the funeral home.  Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com