OGDEN — Wayne Joseph Demel, 66, of Ogden, passed away Wednesday morning, May 9, at his residence. He was retired from the US Air Force and as the Safety Officer and Warehouseman for Hi Tech, Manhattan.
Wayne was born in Great Bend, on May 14, 1951, the son of the late William Albert and Mary Magdalene (Korf) Demel. Wayne attended and graduated from Hoisington High School in Hoisington, Kan., in 1970. On Jan. 21, 1971, he entered the U.S. Air Force and retired 24 years and 10 days later, having served during the Vietnam War and the Desert Shield/Storm War. On May 18, 1974, he was united in marriage to Beth Jean (Erwin) at Holloman AFB, New Mexico.

Wayne was a member of Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Manhattan, member of the Knights of Columbus in Hoisington, Kansas; VFW-Ogden; Pearce-Keller Post No. 17, American Legion-Manhattan.

Wayne is also survived by his wife, Beth, and son Billy of the home; two sisters, Mary Ellen (Larry) Bowman of Agenda, Kan., Rita (Kevin) Seyfert of Great Bend; a brother, Roy Demel, of Miami, Okla. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers William Demel and Alvin Demel; sisters Eileen Basye and Roberta Basye.

The family will receive friends with a parish rosary on Friday, May 11, 2018, at 7 p.m. at Irvin-Parkview Funeral Home, 1317 W. Poyntz Ave., Manhattan. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, May 12, at St. Thomas More Catholic Church with Fr. Kerry Ninemire officiating. A private burial will be at a later date.

Funeral arrangements provided by
Irvin-Parkview Funeral Home
1317 Poyntz Avenue
Manhattan, KS 66502
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, May 13, 2018