ALBERT — Vernon W. Dirks, 91, died Dec. 19, 2016, at Woodhaven Care Center in Ellinwood.
Born May 12, 1925, at Albert, he was the son of William and Hilda (Hemken) Dirks. On May 9, 1951, he married Catherine Johanna Gerdes in rural Dodge City. She died March 13, 2007. A lifetime Rush County resident, Mr. Dirks was a farmer and stockman.
Mr. Dirks was a member of Peace Lutheran Church, church choir, church men’s group and was past Garfield Township justice of the peace.
Survivors include a son, Gerald W. “Jerry” Dirks, rural Albert; two daughters, Carolyn J. Humburg and her husband Tom, Great Bend, and Charlene J. Miller, Monument, Colo.; seven grandchildren, Charlotte Humburg, Richard Humburg, Sara Selfridge, Juli Miller, Christopher Dirks, Jessica Dirks and Makenna Dirks; and six great-grandchildren, Adleigh Humburg, Ashlee Humburg, Thomas Humburg, Charles Selfridge, Carson Dirks and Owen Dirks.
He was preceded in death by an infant son; son-in-law, Dwayne Miller; two brothers, Harry Dirks and Fred Dirks; and one sister, Marie H. Dirks.
A prayer service will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday at Bryant Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Peace Lutheran Church, south of Albert, with the Rev. Shelly Klingensmith officiating. Burial will be in Peace Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. with the family receiving friends from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorials have been established with Peace Lutheran Church or Albert Fire Department, in care of the 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, 2016