Hays, Kansas – Paul J. Baier, age 83, died Saturday, September 19, 2015, at Hays Medical Center, Hays, Kansas.

He was born November 23, 1931, in Victoria, Kansas, to William M. and Adolphine (Dreiling) Baier Sr. He married Lucy M. (Schippers) on November 6, 1954 at Victoria, Kansas.

He was a farmer, dairyman, electrician. He was a veteran of the US Army and served 16 months during the Korean conflict.

He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church Hays, and former member of St. Boniface Catholic Church Vincent for 36 years and served on church committee; V.F.W. Post No. 1751 and Past Commander, Knights of Columbus 3rd Degree and 4th Degree Assembly all of Victoria, Kansas, and one year as Grand Knight at Victoria and two years at Russell and two years as Faithful Navigator at Victoria.

He served four years on U.S.D. 432 Victoria School Board, the Herzogfest Board, and called Bingo for the Visual Impaired at Victoria and Hays. He served 13 years on Ellis County Fair Board and 11 years as Chairman; Ellis County Extension Board, Ellis County Farm Bureau Board; Ellis County Historical Board, 16 years on the Ellis County Rural Fire Advisory Board; three years on Ellis County Farm Service Agency; five years on the Ellis County Planning and Zoning Board.

Survivors include his wife, Lucy M. Baier of 60 years, of the home; four daughters, Susan Legleiter and husband, Ron, Hays, KS; Mary Pfeifer and husband, Steve, Victoria, KS; Jane Schumacher and husband, Brian, Hays, KS; Betty Johnson and husband, Marty, Lincoln, NE; two sisters, his twin, Armella Schippers, Olathe, KS; Alice Erickson and husband Ed, Arkansas City, KS; one brother-in-law, Marvin Klaus, Hays, KS; one sister-in-law, Blanche King, Dallas, TX; 12 grandchildren, Jason Pfeifer and fiancé Sarah Roach, Stephanie Harris (Mike), Jill Pfannenstiel (Clint), Dustin Schumacher (Becky), Christina Cline, Jennifer Amrein and companion Jeff McQuade, Derek Schumacher (Vanessa), Jared Pfeifer (Morgan), Kayla Merritt and companion Jace Bausch, Blake Merritt and fiancé Katelyn Kerkman, Dylan Schumacher and Nathan Merritt; four step grandchildren, Renee Legleiter, Brent Legleiter, Amy Hellerich (Jeff) and Amber Bronson (Travis); 12 great grandchildren and 7 step-great grandchildren.

Preceded in death by his parents; step mother, Elizabeth (Dreiling); one daughter, Amy Baier; one brother William Baier Jr.; two sisters, Mary Frances Klaus, Martha Westhusin and husband Leo; one brother-in-law, John F. Schippers.

Services are 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, September 23, 2015, at the Basilica of St. Fidelis Victoria, Kansas. Burial in St. Fidelis Cemetery Victoria, Kansas with military honors by the Victoria V.F.W. Post No. 1751.

A Victoria Daughters of Isabella rosary at 6:30 P.M. Tuesday, a vigil service is at 7:00 P.M. Tuesday, followed by a VFW-Knights of Columbus 3rd and 4th Degree rosary at 7:30 P.M. Tuesday, all at Cline’s Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601. The 4th Degree Knights of Columbus will stand honor guard from 6:30 to 7:30 P.M. Tuesday at Cline’s Mortuary of Hays.

Visitation is from 3:00 to 9:00 P.M. Tuesday, at Cline’s Mortuary of Hays and from 9:00 to 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, at the Basilica of St. Fidelis Victoria, Kansas.

Memorials to St. Fidelis Cemetery, Victoria V.F.W. or Thomas More Prep-Marian High School.

Condolences can be sent via email to [email protected].