Vincent "Vince" Dreiling

Vincent “Vince” Dreiling

Vincent “Vince” Dreiling, 96, Hays, died Saturday, May 5, 2018 at Good Samaritan Society of Hays.

He was born July 27, 1921 in Victoria, Kansas the son of Balthazar and Elizabeth (Graf) Dreiling.  He was united in marriage to Ellen Linenberger in 1946 at St. Fidelis Catholic Church in Victoria, and they celebrated nearly 70 years of marriage.  She preceded him in death on March 20, 2015.  He served in the Civil Conservation Corps and Works Project of America programs, and then served in the South Pacific during World War II as a member of the United States Army Air Corps.  During the war he received various awards.  After the war, he married and held several positions for the city of Hays.  He implemented the building codes and inspection program and held that position until his retirement.  He also served as interim fire chief.  With his wife, he built several commercial buildings and homes they lived in.  He loved working with leather and owned Dreiling Shoe Repair for several years.  He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, the VFW, and the Third Degree Knights of Columbus Council #1325.  He put others’ needs ahead of his own and took his parent and grandparent roles seriously.

Survivors include his eight children; Firma Carrithers and husband Jim, Diane Long and husband Mike, James Dreiling and wife Paula, Marlene Taxter and husband Mike, Anthony Dreiling and wife Cindy, Dean Dreiling, Joseph Dreiling, and Geralyn Dreiling, nine grandchildren; Lori, Keri, Krista, Shawn, Kelley, Scott, Dawson, Levi, and Olivia, six great grandchildren; Treyton, Kirstan, Ashley, Michael, Brody, and Brooklyn.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Ellen, five brothers; Fred, Bill, Sylvester, Robert, and Francis, five sisters; Freda, Sarie, Caroline, Theresa, and Betty, and one granddaughter; Jami.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Thursday, May 10, 2018 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 201 W. 13th, Hays, with Fr. Fred Gatschet officiating.  Burial with military honors by the Hays VFW Post #9076 will follow in the St. Joseph Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Wednesday and from 9:00 am until 9:45 on Thursday, all at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street.  A parish vigil will be at 6:30 pm followed by a Third Degree Knights of Columbus rosary at 7:00 pm, all on Wednesday at the funeral home.  Memorials are suggested to the Basilica of St. Fidelis in care of the funeral home.  Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com 

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