Donald J. Wellbrock, 85, of Hays passed away on Friday, Dec. 23, 2022, at Hays Medical Center, Hays.
He was born Dec. 18, 1937, at Victoria to Herman and Celestine “Sally” (Dreiling) Wellbrock. He married Norma Lee (Kuhn) on Nov. 8, 1958, in Victoria.
He was a welder and pipe fitter for over 40 years. He started in Plainville, as a welder for a few years then worked at Hays Machine Works. He worked and then retired from Kendall Inc. as a welder and pipe fitter throughout Kansas at schools, hospitals and large industrial construction buildings. He was a member of the Plumbers and Pipefitters Local Union #441 of Wichita.
Don grew up south of Victoria on the family farm and helped with the farming over the years and was a 1956 graduate of Victoria High School. He was a member of the Victoria 3rd Degree Knights of Columbus, the Victoria 4th Degree Assembly Knights of Columbus, a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, and a former homebound communion minister.
His survivors include his wife, Norma Lee Wellbrock, of the home; his children, Darryl Wellbrock and wife, Deanna, Hays; Dora Coccetella, Wichita; Doug Wellbrock and wife, Tina, Hays; his grandchildren, Darren Wellbrock; Deonna Meyers and husband, Kohlton; Alise Cairns and husband, Tanner; Lea Coccetella; and Kylie Wellbrock; his brother, Ralph Wellbrock and wife, Patty, Hays; his sisters, Doris Schmidt, Catharine, Kan.; Melene Rohr, Wichita; his sisters-in-laws, Wilma Von Lintel and husband, Regis, Victoria; Merline Wellbrock, Anthony.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Sally; his brothers, Leroy, Milton, Jerry, Leon; his infant brothers, Jerry and Gary; and his son-in-law, Mark Coccetella.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 18th and Vine, Hays, with Father Nick Parker officiating. Burial will be in Saint Joseph Cemetery, Hays.
A vigil service and a Victoria Knights of Columbus 3rd and 4th Degrees Rosary will be at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 E. 22nd St., Hays, KS 67601.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 pm. Tuesday, at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays and from 9 to 10 a.m. Wednesday at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church.
The family suggests memorials made payable to Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church or Humane Society of the High Plains in the care of the mortuary. Condolences can be sent via e-mail to [email protected] or can be left in the guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com.