HAYS — James E. “Jim” Giebler, 85, died May 10, at home with family present in Hays. Born June 26, 1927 in Severin, he was the son of James F. and Virginia (Koerner) Giebler. On Sept. 4, 1950, he married Theresa Marie Dinkel in Emmeram.
As a young man, he worked in the oilfields. He retired from Permian Corporation in 1991. He loved restoring and rebuilding foreign cars, as well as mechanic work on all cars. His gift of music included playing the piano, organ, guitar, violin, and accordion.
He served in the United States Army from 1945-1947. He was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church of Hays, church choir, the Men’s German Choir, and also a cantor. Music was always an important part of his daily life. His music and his work was his prayer.
Survivors include his wife, Theresa of Hays and their eight children, Sheila Neuburger and husband Tom of Lawrence, Pamela Diehl and husband Stephen of Wichita, Gregory Giebler and wife Laura of Estherville, Iowa, Steven Giebler and wife Debra of Great Bend, Rebecca Deatherage and husband David of Russell, Deborah Fall and husband Scott and Carma Chrisler and husband Chris, both of Hays, and James A. Giebler and wife Stacy of Milford, Ohio; two brothers, Kenneth Giebler and Vernon Giebler both of Hays; five sisters, Sylvia Stecklein of Pratt, Ventura Weigel, Oklahoma City, Okla., Ruth Carter of Jacksonville, Fla., Alice Schneider of Victoria, and Mae Desch-Boos of Lafayette, Colo.; 25 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Joe Giebler; and three sisters, Loretta Stecklein, Lorraine Dreiling, and Jeannie Rupp.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Hays. Interment will follow services at St. Joseph Cemetery in Hays with military honors by the Hays Veteran of Foreign Wars Honor Guard. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today and from 9 to 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, at the funeral home, Brock’s North Hill Chapel, 2509 Vine in Hays. A rosary service will be held at 6 p.m. today followed by a parish vigil service at 6:30 p.m., all at the funeral home. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Immaculate Heart of Mary Building Fund in care of the funeral home.

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, May 14, 2013**