HOISINGTON — Thomas L. Demel, 87, passed away June 2, 2024, at Credo Senior Living, Hoisington, Kan. He was born Feb. 21, 1937, on the family farm west of Odin, Kan., to Frank and Mary (Klug) Demel. On May 6, 1961, Tom married Darleen Graves at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Hoisington, and shared 63 years together.

Tom graduated from Odin High School in 1955, and proudly served in the Army from 1955-1957 as a Specialist Third Class in the 155th Artillery in Darmstadt Germany along the Russian border. He returned to the states and worked for DS&W in the oilfield, for Jerry Beran at The Odin Store, for Marlette Homes and for Bob Beran at the Tap Room. Tom then started his career in auto parts sales working for Great Bend Auto Parts and Sidles Auto Parts and eventually buying into Sidles Auto Parts to own his own business. In 1977 he changed the name to TD’s Auto Parts and relocated to Main Street, Hoisington, Kan., and was in business until 1999 when he retired.

Tom was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Hoisington, Kan., Odin Knights of Columbus, the VFW and American Legion serving on honor guards for many functions. Tom collected baseball cards, coins, and sports memorabilia. He enjoyed every level of sports and was known to watch 4 to 5 TV’s so he wouldn’t miss any action and you never thought to try to grab the remote to change the channel. He was also an avid pitch player and was known for being very competitive in his younger days. He was a huge fan of the Hoisington Cardinals, Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals, Kansas State Wildcats and Kansas Jayhawks basketball. He especially enjoyed his grandchildren and great-grandchildren to whom he was proud to gift his sports memorabilia collection and who enjoy this same passion. Tom was also known for his friendliness by giving out Smarties candy.

Survivors include his wife, Darleen, of the home; daughters, Janet (Shawn) Jonas of Hoisington, and Tammy (Peter) Burke of Campbell, Texas; and son, Tom (Brenda) Demel of Wichita; grandchildren, Austin (Katie) Jonas, Cosby, Mo., Audra (Adam) Paquette, Manhattan, Brandon (fiancé Blair) Burke and Walter (Meaghan) Burke, Campbell, Texas; great-grandchildren, his greatest joy, Hunter, Jordy and Brecken Jonas, Anthony, Ajla and Audie Leonard, Layton and Landyn Burke, Bodie and Stella Rose Burke, Austin Paquette, Jeremiah Valles, Layton, Liam and Averie Garcia, and Jacob and David Alter; brothers, Robert (Rosemary) Demel, Great Bend, Marvin (Phyllis) Demel, Kanopolis, Allen (Margaret) Demel, Elk City, Okla., Mark (Barbara) Demel, Hoisington; sisters, Dolores (Jim) Rosenberg, Simsbury, Conn., and Rosemary Schremmer, Hoisington, and sister-in-law Patricia Demel, Great Bend.

He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Raymond Demel; brother-in-law Kenneth Schremmer; and nephew, Lance Walters; and great-grandchildren Jack and Cade Jonas.

Visitation will be at 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home. Family will greet friends from 6- 8 p.m. with Vigil and Knights of Columbus Rosary beginning at 7 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Thursday, June 6, 2024, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Hoisington, Kan., celebrated by Father Warren Stecklein. Interment with military honors will follow at the St. John Catholic Cemetery, Hoisington. Memorials have been designated to Clara Barton Hospital Foundation, St. John Catholic Cemetery Fund, or Gentiva Hospice in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, Kansas 67544.

Notices may be viewed and condolences sent at www.nicholsonrickefh.net.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home 

P.O. Box 146 

Hoisington, KS 67544

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, June 6, 2024