Richard M. Hammerschmidt, 85, Hays, died Monday, Jan. 28, 2008, at Hays Medical Center. He was born April 26, 1922, in Ogallah to Michael and Anna (Sander) Hammerschmidt.

He married Bernice (Leiker) on Oct. 24, 1949, in Victoria.

He worked at Ford Motor Co., Hays, for more than 30 years and the city of Hays for 15 years. He was a U.S. Army veteran, serving during World War II and received a Purple Heart Medal. He was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 9076, American Legion Post No. 173, St. Mary Knights of Columbus, all of Hays, and a member of Disabled American Veterans.

Survivors include his wife, of the home; two sons, Gerald Hammerschmidt and wife, Rosie, and Francis Hammerschmidt and wife, Gena, all of Hays; three daughters, Margaret Kippes and husband, Kenny, Hays, Marilyn Klaus, Ness City, and Marlene Hoffman, Larkspur, Colo.; two brothers, Elias Hammerschmidt, Kingman, and Elmer Hammerschmidt, Salina; two sisters, Helen Mohl, Russell, and Viola Robben, Walker; 14 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Fridolin Hammerschmidt, Norbert Hammerschmidt and Alvin Hammerschmidt; four sisters, Silvina Pfaff, Sister Armella Hammerschmidt C.S.A., Mary Weigel and Irene Pfannenstiel; and a great-grandchild.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Hays; burial in St. Joseph Cemetery, Hays, with military honors by Hays American Legion and Hays VFW. Visitation will be from 4 to 9 p.m. Wednesday and from 8:30 to 9 a.m. Thursday, both at Cline's Mortuary of Hays, 1919 E. 22nd Hays, KS 67601. A vigil will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday, followed by a Knights of Columbus rosary at 7:30 p.m., both at the mortuary.

Memorials are suggested to American Legion Child Welfare Foundation Inc. P.O. Box 1055, Indianapolis, IN 46206, or Masses in care of the mortuary.

Hays Daily News, 1/29/2008