HOISINGTON — Dennis “Dingbat” D. Batt, passed away Friday, June 5, 2015, at Via Christi St. Francis Hospital, Wichita.
Dennis was born in Defiance, Ohio, on May 12, 1945, the son of the late Al and Helen (Justinger) Batt. Dennis was a Navy veteran and served on the USS Union during Vietnam.
On May 21, 1967, he married Shirley (Heine) Batt, still of the home.
Dennis had been a longtime resident of Hoisington coming to Hoisington in 1967.
He worked as a master mechanic for Kansas Brick and Tile for 40 years. He also worked at the Tap Room.
Dennis was a lifetime member of the VFW Post 7428, of Hoisington and the American Legion Post 180, of Great Bend. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and was involved in many facets of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church.
Throughout his life he had many interests and hobbies including hunting, playing cards and watching sports. During his life he volunteered as a firefighter and president of little league baseball. Above all Dingbat’s greatest love in life was for his family. Being “Gpa” to his grandchildren brought him joy beyond measure. Despite declining health issues, he never forgot his family and was so proud to have received his high school diploma the same year as his granddaughter. He will be forever missed by all who knew and loved him.
He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Shirley Batt; two sons, Brian Batt, Hoisington, and Todd Batt and wife April, Hoisington; two grandchildren, Gabrielle and Benjamin Batt; three sisters, Patricia Walter, Defiance, Ohio; Kathleen Boyd, Broken Arrow, Okla.; and Mary Fitzenrider-Cox and husband Stan, Defiance, Ohio; two brothers, Eugene Batt and wife Marge, and Fred Batt, all of Defiance, Ohio; sister-in-law Betty Batt and Mary Rickard, both of Defiance, Ohio.
He was preceded in death by both parents, a sister, Carolyn Leonard, and seven brothers; Victor, Paul, Jerome, Ronald, Harold, Jim, and Thomas.
Vigil with Rosary, led by the Knights of Columbus, will be 7 p.m. Friday, June 12 at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Saturday, June 13 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, celebrated by Father Anselm Eke.
Burial will be in St. John Catholic Cemetery, Hoisington, with military rites conducted by the United States Navy Honor Guard. Suggested memorials are to St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church or to the donor’s choice in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS, 67544.
Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.nicholsonrickefh.net.

Funeral arrangements provided by
Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home **
415 N. Main, P.O. Box 146
Hoisington, KS, 67544
Great Bend Tribune, June 7, 2015