Melvin J. Dinkel

Melvin J. Dinkel

Melvin J. Dinkel, 81, Hays, died Saturday, October 21, 2023 at Via Christi Village.

He was born September 1, 1942 in Hays, the son of Joe S. and Pauline (Karlin) Dinkel.  In 1960, Melvin graduated from Victoria High School, and on August 20, 1962, he was united in marriage to Clarita M. Pelzel at St. Severin Church.  They celebrated nearly 59 years of marriage before she preceded him in death on July 23, 2021.  Melvin delivered milk for LK Dairy and Hiland Dairy, and worked construction, doing trim carpentry many afternoons and evenings.  He was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, and enjoyed playing Skip-Bo, watching sports, including women’s college softball, and was an avid Royals, Chiefs, and Braves fan.  Most of all, he loved his family, granddaughters, and his extended daycare family.

Survivors include his two sons: William “Bill” Dinkel and Chris Dinkel and wife Kim, both of Hays, two brothers, Delmar Dinkel of Hays and Kenny Dinkel and wife Marjorie of Plainville, three sisters, Dorothy Jacobs of Hays, Lucy Brown of Victoria, and Donna Deckman and husband Joe of Hays, two granddaughters, Katie Clay and husband Brandon of Topeka and Joslyn Dinkel of Salina, a great granddaughter, Elliott Clay, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Frank and James “Jim” Dinkel.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Catharine.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery.  Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Tuesday and from 8:30 am until 9:30 on Wednesday, all at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.  Recitation of the rosary will be at 6:00 pm followed by a vigil service at 6:30 pm, all on Tuesday at the funeral home.  Memorials are suggested to the Cancer Council of Ellis County or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.  Condolences and memories of Melvin may be left for his family at www.haysmemorial.com

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