George William Schippers, 84, Hays, beloved father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, September 4, 2013 at the Via Christi Villages, Hays.
He was born December 14, 1928 in Victoria, Kansas the son of John M. and Anna C. (Kippes) Schippers. In 1947, George convinced a city girl to move to a rural area to be his wife. On February 9, 1948 he married Lillian Marie Dome in Hays. They began their life together on the family farm near Grainfield, Kansas and twelve children were born to this union. They lived in Grainfield from 1948 until 1995, when they moved to Hays. Lillian died November 8, 2005. He was a farmer and a member of the St. Joseph Church, Hays, a former member of the St. Agnes Church in Grainfield, was a member of the 3rd degree St. Agnes Council Knights of Columbus, was a Hoxie Elk’s Lodge member, and was a past school board member of USD #412. He enjoyed playing Pinochle, Bingo, and enjoyed dancing and going to dances with his wife, Lillian. George loved family and willingly followed the many activities of his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Survivors include ten children, Linda Nicholas (Frank) of Waco, TX, Diane Seiler (Leroy) of Medicine Lodge, KS, Janet Patterson (John) of Pittsburg, KS, Mary William (Dan) and Carol Campbell (Max) both of Hoxie, KS, George Schippers, Jr. of Colby, KS, David (Stephanie) Schippers of Hoxie, KS, Charlie (Joan) Schippers of Hays, KS, Karen Cudney (Brian) of Wichita, KS, and Jeff (Janice) Schippers of Broken Arrow, OK, thirty eight grandchildren and fifty nine great grandchildren. He is also survived by a daughter in law Khyleen Schwarzenberger of Wichita, KS, four sisters, Sr. Mary Ann Schippers of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, Lucy Baier (Paul) of Hays, Estella Kuhn of Victoria, and Lillian Leiker of Hays, three brothers, Lawrence (JoAnn) Schippers of Springfield, MO, Paul Schippers of Victoria, KS, and Norman (Lila) Schippers of The Woodlands, TX, sisters in law Armella Schippers of Olathe, KS, Marietta Lies of Wichita, KS, Stella Ekovich of Sarasota, FL and Alexia Corbitt of Sharpsburg, NC, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his loving wife, two sons, Daniel Joseph Schippers in November of 1948 and Mark Schippers in April 1993, an infant grandson John Dale Patterson II, brothers Herman Schippers, John F. Schippers, and Arthur Schippers, brothers in law, Frank Kuhn and Maurice Leiker, and sisters in law, Loretta Schippers and Theresa Schippers.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 am on Saturday, September 7, 2013 at the St. Joseph Catholic Church, Hays. Burial will be in the St. Joseph Cemetery. Friends may call on Friday from 4:00 until 8:00 pm and on Saturday from 9:00 am until 10:45, all at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine. A Sisters of St. Agnes rosary service will be at 5:00 pm followed by a parish vigil service will be at 7:30 pm on Friday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested in George’s memory to the Sisters of St. Agnes, in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com