Cletus J. Uhrich, 81, died Dec. 19 at Via Christi St. Francis Regional Medical Center in Wichita. He was born April 26,1930 at Collyer, the son of Christian and Mariana (Waldman) Uhrich.

He married Helen K. Burgardt May 30, 1955 at Garden City. She died Jan. 18, 1997. Cletus later married Delores L. Strecker March 11, 2000 at Great Bend. He was a corrosion engineer for Northern Natural Gas Company until retirement. Cletus than became an independent consultant. He was a resident of Great Bend since 1983, coming from Garden City.

He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. He was a member of Prince of Peace Parish at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus (Life Member) and American Legion Argonne Post 180.

He is survived by wife, Delores L. Uhrich, of the home; one son, Galen Uhrich and wife Beth of Lawrence; five daughters, Cynthia Bratton and husband Larry of Abilene, Rebecca Henry and husband Steve of Emporia, Roxane Edwards of Great Bend, Melanie Uhrich of Olathe, Andrea Uhrich of Olathe; two sisters, Itha Scheck of Hays, Eugenia Uhrich of Hays; one stepson, Monty Strecker and wife Catherine of Ellinwood; two stepdaughters, Julie Bauman and husband Carl of Great Bend and Carrie Bridges and husband Kirk of Halstead; seven grandchildren, four great-grandchildren; 12 stepgrandchildren; 11 stepgreat-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by five brothers, Frank Uhrich, Julius Uhrich, Joe Uhrich, Leo Uhrich, George Uhrich, Alfred Uhrich; three sisters, Juliana Haffner, infant Mary Uhrich, and Pauline Zimmerman.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m.Thursday at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Great Bend. Vigil Service with Knights of Columbus Rosary will be 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Bryant Funeral Home.

Father Reginald Urban will officiate. Interment will be at the Great Bend Cemetery with graveside military services by McConnell Air Force Base. Visitation is from 1-9 p.m. Wednesday at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorial Fund: Holy Family School Endowment Fund, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Bryant Funeral Home*

1425 Patton Road

Great Bend, KS 67530

Great Bend (Kan) Tribune, Dec. 21, 2011