Gilbert S. “Shorty” Dreiling, 84, Hays, died Thursday, September 29, 2022, at Rush County Memorial Hospital surrounded by family.
He was born February 23, 1938, in Hays, the son of Alex and Anna (Dechant) Dreiling. Shorty served in the Army National Guard and Army Reserves, and in 2020, he was awarded the Quilt of Valor. On November 26, 1960, he was united in marriage to Clara Marie Giebler in Antonino and they were married nearly 62 years. Shorty loved farming, being a cattleman, and also his work as a plumber. His memberships included Our Lady help of Christians Catholic Church and St. Nicholas Third Degree Knights of Columbus Council #10044, and he enjoyed woodworking and driving in the country. He loved his wife and his farm, and he took such pride in his children and grandchildren.
Survivors include his wife Clara of Hays, three sons: Laverne Dreiling of Schoenchen, Gilbert Dreiling Jr. of Hays, and Joe Dreiling and wife Sarah of Hays, three daughters: Donna Rupp and husband Bob “Skeeter” of Hays, Marilyn Schuckman and husband Kevin of Overland Park, and Marlene Stumpf and husband Jeff of Omaha, NE, a sister: Lillian Dinkel of Victoria, 14 grandchildren: Jessica Giebler and husband Joe, Chelsea Downing and husband Logan, Clint Schuckman and wife Carrie Jo, Ashley Schmidt and husband Joe, Talisa Stumpf, Kayleigh Anaya and husband Felipe, Alyx Speed and husband Sean, Christian Stumpf, Taylor Hop and husband AJ, Sara Dreiling, Nicholas Dreiling, Elizabeth Dreiling, Eli Dreiling, and Emmitt Dreiling, 12 great grandchildren: Bailey, Keeley, and Finley Lowry, Jozi and Lexi Downing, Ciara Schmidt, Koen, Treyson, and Keila Schuckman, James and Gianna Anaya, and Duncan Speed, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant daughter: Carol Jean Dreiling, five brothers: Benedict, Celestine, Gilbert, Lawrence, and Martin Dreiling, four sisters: Celestina “Sally” Braun, Evelyn Dechant, infant Barbara Dreiling, and Jenny Leiker.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Tuesday, October 4, 2022, at Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church in Antonino. Inurnment with military honors by the Hays VFW Honor Guard will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, Hays. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Monday at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, and from 9:00 am until service time on Tuesday at the church. A parish vigil service will be at 7:00 pm followed by a Knights of Columbus rosary, all on Monday at the funeral home.
Memorials are suggested to Ronald McDonald House Charities, Shriners Children’s Twin Cities, or to masses. Condolences and memories of Gilbert may be left for his family at www.haysmemorial.com