Solomon Leiker, 99, Hays, formerly of Ellis, died Thursday, October 31, 2019 at Ascension Via Christi Village in Hays.

He was born July 30, 1920 in Ellis one of fourteen children of John and Suzanne (Dinkel) Leiker. He was a U.S. Army Veteran serving from 1942 until 1946 during World War II and an engineer for the City of Ellis for many years. On October 27, 1948 he was united in marriage to Pauline Boos in Hays, Kansas and they celebrated over 53 years of marriage before she preceded him in death on February 6, 2002. He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ellis for many years.

Survivors include two sons; Keith Leiker of Ellis and Glenn Leiker and wife Dawne of Hays, a daughter; Janice Chambers of Hays, three grandchildren, three great grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, nine step-great-grandchildren, and 15 step-great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife Pauline, five brothers; Fritz, Hank, Wilfred, Alex, and Ed Leiker, eight sisters; Isabella Unrein, Teckla Windholz, Agnes Wasinger, Mary Wiesner, Dorothy Augustine, Josephine Schmidt, Lucy Bixenman, and Annie Blanchard, a son-in-law; Glen Chambers, a grandson; Kenneth Chambers, and by a great-grandson; Cameron Chambers.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 am on Saturday, November 9, 2019 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ellis with Fr. Dana Clark officiating. Inurnment with military honors by the Hays VFW Honor Guard will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 9:00 am until service time on Saturday at the church. Memorials are suggested to Ascension Via Christi. Condolences and memories of Solomon may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com