Milton J. Leiker, 87, Hays, died Tuesday, August 30, 2016 at the Hays Medical Center.

He was born November 5, 1928 on the family farm four miles west of Antonino, Kansas the son of August and Pauline (Unrein) Leiker.  On May 3, 1952 he married Mathilda “Tillie” Honas of Ellis, Kansas, beginning a life-long adventure of 64 years.  After graduating from Hays High School and FHSU, he began what would become for him a vocation, teaching high school mathematics and science.  After fourteen years, he transferred to personnel administration for the Department of Defense, specifically the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.

Following a varied career at several locations including; Quantico Marine Corps Base and Crystal City in Virginia, Washington D.C. and the Pentagon, he retired from Federal Civil Service in 1986 and returned home to Hays.  He briefly returned to teaching at TMP and substituting at Hays Middle and High Schools.  His pastimes included crossword and Sudoku puzzles, and designing house plans (building four of them).  His favorite hobby became rosary making.  Those efforts supported Missions overseas, and closer to home, the RCIA candidates, and the St. John Retirement Home.  He and his wife were members of St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church.

Survivors include his bride, Tillie, of the home, a daughter; Lorraine “Laura”, four sons; Arthur and wife Barbara, Duane and wife Anne, Mark and wife Marla, and Warren, two sisters; Norma Fox and Benita Boos, eight grandchildren and six great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, six brothers; Alphonse, Alfred, Edwin, Clarence, Eugene, and Norbert, and two sisters; Josepha and Armella.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 am on Saturday, September 3, 2016 at the St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church, 2901 E. 13th.  Burial will follow in the St. Joseph Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 4:00 until 8:00 pm on Friday and from 9:00 am until 9:45 on Saturday, all at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street.  A combined Christian Mothers/Altar Society of Catharine and Daughters of Isabella of Hays rosary will be at 6:00 pm followed by a vigil service at 6:30, all on Friday at the funeral home.  Memorials are suggested to St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church, in care of the funeral home.  Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com.