Obituaries

Chad E. Gisick, 37, of Holy Family Parish, Odin, died Feb. 15, 2007. He owned and operated Gisick Construction, and was a member of the Knights of Columbus No. 2630. Survivors include his mother, Coletta Debes; a brother, Josh; a sister, Joy Gisick; his grandmother, Pauline Kaiser; numerous aunts and uncles; a nephew; and a niece. Father Steven Scheier presided.

Melvin E. Vink, 82, of Prince of Peace Parish, Great Bend, died Feb. 17, 2007. He was a farmer, and founded what is now known as Office Products Inc. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus. Survivors include his wife, Marcella “Sally” Zecha; four sons, Michael, Craig, Terry, and Kenny; a daughter, Kathy Berkley; eight grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Father Reginald A. Urban presided

Rosalia Vera Hessman, 81, of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Windhorst, died Feb. 18, 2007. She served in the U.S. Air Force as a nurse. Survivors include two brothers, Lucian Hessman and Henry Hessman; and two sisters, Marie Dobbins and Adeline Hessman. Father Ted Stoecklein presided.

Richard A. Gaschler, 68, of St. Mary’s Parish, Marienthal, died Feb. 18, 2007. He was a lifetime farmer and a consulting engineer. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He is survived by his wife, Donna J. Wewer; a son, Richard Shane; a daughter, Heidi Rosann Gaschler; a brother, Bill; a sister, Ruth White; and numerous nieces and nephews. Fathers Warren Stecklein and Benjamin Martin presided.

Jesse J. Rodriguez, 38, of Mary Queen of Peace Parish, Ulysses, died Feb. 18, 2007, at De Soto. He was a construction worker. Survivors include his mother, Juanita V. Rodriguez; four brothers, Sisto, Roman Jr., Mario, and Simon J.; five sisters, Angie Leos, Herminia Parada, Sylvia Metcalf, and Nancy Guerrero, and Frances Rodriguez. Deacon Apolonio Rodriguez presided.

Leonard J. Mader, 76, of St. Mary Parish, Holcomb, died Feb. 21, 2007. He was a farmer and stockman. He was a U.S. Army veteran, serving during the Korean War from 1951 to 1953. He is survived by his wife, Donna Clark; two sons, Robbie and Bryan; three daughters, Susan Wieland, Shelly Grauberger, and Jackie Barlow; a brother, Bob; two sisters, Mary Ann Bennett and Marilyn Reese; 15 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. Father Tony Judge presided.

Allan Chase Padilla, 2, of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Dodge City, died Feb. 23, 2007. He was born Feb. 11, 2005, in Dodge City, the son of Brian and Taylar Tillotson Padilla. Survivors include his parents; two sisters, Brianna Celine and Dally Shari Padilla; and many grandparents, aunts, uncles and many other relatives. Father Ted Skalsky presided.

Richard A. “Dick” Leach, 76, of St. Anthony Parish, Lakin, died Feb. 23, 2007.He served in the U.S. Army and the U.S. Army Reserves. Survivors include his wife, Marie E. Schlarmann; two sons, Mike and Steve; a daughter, Theresa Welch; and seven grandchildren. Father Mike Helms presided.