Ralph A. Werth, Jr.

Ralph A. Werth, Jr.

Ralph A. Werth, Jr., 67, Russell, died Wednesday, September 6, 2017 at the Hays Medical Center.

He was born January 9, 1950 in Hays, Kansas the second oldest son of sixteen children born to Ralph J. Werth, Sr. and Martina (Spies) Werth.  He attended Hays High School and at age of 18 chose to join the U.S. Navy where he served aboard the USS Kitty Hawk aircraft carrier during the Vietnam War.  Ralph worked as a groundskeeper at Fort Hays State University and also as a roofer for KTHOL Roofing.  He enjoyed fishing, drinking a cold Pepsi, which always tasted better when shared with his friends and family, and playing Bingo and especially loved winning the prizes.  He cherished his collection of rosaries and prayed them for loved ones.  Ralph had a beautiful singing voice and a gift for playing the guitar.

Survivors include his mother Martina, Hays, six brothers; Vincent Werth, Sr. and wife Helen of Munjor, Stephen Werth and wife Joyce of Schoenchen, Bernie Werth and wife Lona of Hays, Andy Werth of Hays, Loran Werth and wife Kay of Hays, and Darrell Werth and wife Jodie of Olathe, eight sisters; Patty Stull and husband Rich Sieker of Hays, Bridget Stenzel and husband Lyle of Ness City, Marina Shauers of Wichita, Regina Hutchison of Hays, Donnetta Pfeifer and husband Terry of Hays, Geralyn Werth and husband Ernie of Schoenchen, Jacqueline Schneider and husband Mark of Cabot, Arkansas, and Tina Unrein of Olathe, and numerous nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, a brother; Ivan Werth, a sister-in-law; Pam Werth, nieces; Wendy Stull and Trina Shauers, a nephew; Jeremy Dietz, and a great nephew; Triston Werth.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 am on Saturday, September 9, 2017 at St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church, 2901 E. 13th Street, Hays.  Burial with military honors by the Hays VFW Post 9076 will follow in the St. Anthony Cemetery in Schoenchen.  Visitation will be from 4:00 pm until 8:00 on Friday and from 9:00 am until 9:45 on Saturday, all at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street.  A parish vigil service and rosary will be at 6:30 pm on Friday at the funeral home.  Memorials are suggested to Wheatland Nursing Center, masses, St. Anthony Cemetery, or St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church in care of the funeral home.  Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com