Wayne J. Gabel

Wayne J. Gabel

Wayne J. Gabel, 83, Hays, died Thursday, June 14, 2018 at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas.

He was born March 12, 1935 on the family farm north of Hyacinth, Kansas the son of Nicholas “Nick” and Catherine “Katie” (Dreiling) Gabel.  In 1953 he graduated from St. Joseph Military Academy and on October 25, 1954 he was united in marriage to Marie Pfannenstiel at Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church in Antonino.  They celebrated over 50 years of marriage before she preceded him in death on August 8, 2005.  Wayne was a truck driver who started High Plains Grain and was later an owner/operator of Golden Plains Trucking in Hays.  He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, the St. Joseph Third Degree Knights of Columbus council #1325, and the Bishop Cunningham Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus.  He enjoyed reading westerns, polka dancing, crossword puzzles, and his McDonalds coffee group.  He and his wife Marie were Points of Light recipients from TMP-Marian High School and he loved to spend time with his friends and family.

Survivors include two sons; Alan Gabel and wife Dawn of Hays and Arlen Gabel of Hays, a daughter; Agnes McDonald and husband Don of Wentworth, MO, a brother; Gary Gabel and wife Ellie of Hays, two sisters; Marlene Brull and husband Charles of Hays and Mary Sauer and husband Melvin of Hays, a sister-in-law; Mary Ann Gabel, four grandchildren; Jason Gabel, Jeremy Gabel, Lindsay Leiker, and Clayton Gabel, five great grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, two step-great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Marie, an infant brother Tony Gabel, a brother Leon Gabel, a sister Delores Binder, a daughter-in-law Jackie Gabel, and a granddaughter Kristen Gabel.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Tuesday, June 19, 2018 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 205 W. 13th, Hays, with Fr. Fred Gatschet and Fr. Earl Befort officiating.  Burial will follow in the St. Joseph Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 4:00 pm until 8:00 on Monday and from 9:00 am until 9:45 on Tuesday, all at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street.  The Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus will stand honor guard from 5:30 pm until 6:30 on Monday at the funeral home.  A parish vigil service will be at 6:30 pm followed by a combined Third and Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus rosary at 7:00, all on Monday at the funeral home.  Memorials are suggested to TMP-Marian Alumni Association or to St. Joseph Catholic Church, in care of the funeral home.  Condolences and memories of Wayne may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com

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