Melvin L. “Mel” Schumacher, 91, Hays, died Friday June 7, 2024 at Via Christi Village.
He was born July 3, 1932 in Schoenchen, the son of Isidor and Cecilia (Dinges) Schumacher. On August 27, 1955 he was united in marriage to Norma A. Dreiling in Ellis, and they celebrated nearly 69 years together. Mel was a hard worker who dedicated his life to farming and ranching, owning and operating Schumacher Trust Ranch. With his brother Don, Mel also did masonry work for many years. He was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church and also a member of Schoenchen Third Degree Knights of Columbus Council #4166 and the Bishop Cunningham Fourth Degree Assembly #282. He was a loyal supporter of Ellis County 4-H and belonged to the Red Angus Association of America, American International Charolais Association, and the Kansas Livestock Association.
Survivors include his wife Norma of Hays, three daughters, Connie Morgan and husband Calvin of Lakeview, AR, Gerri Schumacher of Hays, and Gail Wickham and husband Michael of Hays, a brother, Don Schumacher of Hays, three sisters, Evelyn Dreher and husband Elmer, Dolores VonFeldt and husband Gary, and Carol Staab, all of Hays, three sisters-in-law, Verna, Cora, and Sharon Schumacher, all of Hays, five grandsons, Jason Gabel, Jeremy Gabel (Niki), Ryan Forsythe (Cammie), Rusty Wickham (Katie), and Copeland Wickham (Ember), six great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a son-in-law, Tom Holloway, five brothers, Marvin, Ralph, Eddie, Cletus, and Francis Schumacher, a brother-in-law, Stan Staab, two sisters-in-law, Mildred and Karen Schumacher, and a granddaughter, Kristen Gabel.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church with Fr. Nick Parker officiating. Private family inurnment will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 9:30 am until service time on Thursday at the church. Memorials are suggested to Ellis County 4-H Ag Livestock. Services are in the care of Hays Memorial Chapel and condolences and memories of Mel may be shared with his family at www.haysmemorial.com