Gary Lee Ummel, Sr., died Oct. 19, 2017, in Harper, Kansas. He was born an only son to Oscar and Hazel Ummel on Jan. 14, 1939, in Ness County, Kansas. Welcoming him to the world was sister Bessie. Three more sisters followed.

He graduated from the Utica High School in 1957 He served active duty in the U.S. Army in Europe.

He married Shirley Hemel in 1961. Together they raised five children.

Gary retired from driving a truck after twenty-five years. He then managed his own construction company for thirty years. For 78 years he lived hard, loved harder, and never once let his hands rest.

He was an avid fisherman and great hunter. He was a member of the Harper American Legion Post 104 and a member of the Anthony Christian Church.

Left to mourn him are his wife Shirley; sons and their wives, Bruce and Kathy Quenzer, and Gary and Shannon Ummel, Jr; daughters and their husbands, Glenda and Wayland Pittman, Kelle and Norman Green, and Kriste and Allen Henning; sister Anna Meis; 13 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

Graveside inurnment service for Gary and his wife, Shirley, will be held at the Ransom Cemetery, Ransom, Kansas on Saturday, March 30, 2024 at 1:00 p.m.