Harold James Giebler

Harold James Giebler

Harold James Giebler, 90, Hays, died Sunday, December 31, 2017 at Via Christi Village.

He was born December 9, 1927 in Hays the son of Edmund and Anna (Staab) Giebler.  He was a 1945 graduate of St. Joseph Military Academy and served in the U.S. Army during World War II and played with the 5th U.S. Army Band.  On June 20, 1953 he was united in marriage to Petronilla “Nellie” Leiker at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hays.  They celebrated over 64 years of marriage.  He attended Fort Hays State College for two years and was a mail carrier for many years with the United State Postal Service.  After his retirement from the USPS, he was a bus driver and van driver for over ten years with USD 489.  He was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Third Degree Knights of Columbus Council #1325, and the Hays American Legion.  He was a cantor for many years at Immaculate Heart of Mary, and was also a member of the church choir and the Volga German Men’s Choir.    He was very active, true to his word, and was known to be able to build or fix anything.

Survivors include his wife Nellie, of the home in Hays, four daughters; Cecilia Burke and husband Marty of Lawrence, Rose Coon and husband Steve of Topeka, Teresa Schrant and husband Larry of Hays, and Barbara Gonzales and husband Mike of Wichita, a son; Andrew Giebler and wife Tara of Andover, a sister; Berniece Schumacher of St. Louis, two brothers; Norman Giebler of Hays and Patrick Giebler and wife Terri of Colby, eighteen grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and infant son; Stephen Giebler, a sister; Sybilla Schukman, and three brothers; Albert, Herbert, and Edmund Giebler, Jr.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Wednesday, January 3, 2018 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church with Fr. Barry Brinkman officiating.  Burial with military honors by the Hays VFW Honor Guard will follow in the St. Joseph Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Tuesday and from 9:00 am until 9:45 on Wednesday, all at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.  A Daughters of Isabella rosary will be at 6:00, a parish vigil service will be at 6:30, and a Third Degree Knights of Columbus Council #1325 rosary will be at 7:00 pm, all on Tuesday at the funeral home.  Memorials are suggested to Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church or to masses, in care of the funeral home.  Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com