Weston “Wes” Jay Essmiller, 44, passed away February 2, 2024, in Clermont, Fla. He was born on Oct. 10, 1979, in Great Bend, Kan. to Jay and Lesli (Bobbitt) Essmiller. He graduated from Great Bend High School in 1998, survived a bout with cancer in 1999-2000, and graduated from Kansas State University in 2005 with a BS in Agriculture, Horticulture/Landscape Design. He married Lisa Dionne Pryor on June 9, 2007, in Manhattan, Kan. 

Wes, a resident of Clermont, Fla. coming from Manhattan, Topeka, and Great Bend, Kan. was a landscape designer specializing in groundwater management and golf course irrigation supplies. Most recently he had worked as a sales manager for Netafim, USA and NDS, Inc., and had previously served as the manager for Groundwater Management District #5. Wes was a member of Delta Upsilon fraternity (KSU), Ducks Unlimited, and past chairman of Central Kansas Catbackers. He enjoyed hunting, playing golf and all-things K-State.   

Survivors include his father and stepmother, Jay and Karla Essmiller of Pawnee Rock; his mother and stepfather, Lesli and Edward Miles of Canton; two sons, Jayden Essmiller and Easton Essmiller; a daughter, Gracelyn Essmiller; two sisters, Manon Emery (Adam) of Rolla, Mo. and Elizabeth Sneden (Luke) of Overland Park; a brother, Jeremy Essmiller of Great Bend; two nieces, Layna and Annika Emery; a nephew, Zaben Sneden; grandmother, Jeri Shute of Red Cloud, Neb.;  and many uncles, aunts, cousins and a host of friends. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Robert and Grace Essmiller; Bob and Beverly Bobbitt, and Edward Shute. 

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, March 15, 2024, at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Bryant Funeral Home, with Rev. Daniel Vandenburg presiding. Memorials have been designated to the Essmiller Children’s Education Fund or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, in care of Bryant Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed atwww.bryantfh.net.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Bryant Funeral Home

1425 Patton Road

Great Bend, KS  67530

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, March 9, 2024