Verland E. Leiker

Verland Eugene Leiker, age 84, of Hays, Kansas passed away Friday, June 6, 2025 at HaysMed. He was born April 16, 1941 in Munjor, Kansas to Alfred J. and Regina M. (Herl) Leiker.

Verland graduated from St. Joseph’s Military Academy in 1959. A year later he served his country by enlisting with the United States Air Force.

From the age of 14 he started working for Ben Dreiling Motors until he left for the Air Force. When Verland returned home from his service duty he embarked on a long career in banking. He served as Sr. Vice President of Farmers State Bank and then Commerce Bank where he retired from. After retirement he served as a special consultant for First National Bank and Trust.

Verland was an avid car enthusiast having owned over 300 cars in his lifetime. He enjoyed simple day drives to area towns as well as maintaining and detailing his cars. He was a thoughtful person who enjoyed being a jokester from time to time which endured him to his banking clientele over his lengthy career. He was also a member of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church.

He is survived by his siblings, Gloria Braun and husband Ronald, Linda Schoenthaler and Allen Leiker and wife Maggie all of Hays; a sister-in-law, Kelly Leiker of Alpharetta, Georgia; nieces and nephews, Debra Rohleder, Danny (Jody) Rohleder, Diana Rohleder, Donna Kay Rohleder, Marla (Danny) Stecklein, Sandee (Tim) Werth, David (Corey) Braun, Jared (Angie) Braun, Scott (Brianna) Schoenthaler, Amy (Bryan) Church, Ryan Leiker, Derek (Taylor) Leiker, Austin (Alaysia) Leiker, Aaron (Cheryl) Leiker, Sean Leiker and Jordyn (Blake) Irwin; 31 great nieces and nephews and 2 great-great nieces and nephews.

Verland was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Mary Jane White; a brother, Ronald Leiker; a brother-in-law, Lynn Schoenthaler and a great niece.

Funeral services will be 10:00 AM, Thursday, June 12, 2025 at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Hays with Fr. Nick Parker officiating. Inurnment with Military Honors by the Hays VFW Honor Guard will follow in the St. Joseph’s Cemetery.

Memorial visitation will be Wednesday, June 11, 2025 starting at 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM with a combined parish vigil and rosary service at 7:00 PM all at Keithley Funeral Homes and Crematory-Brock’s Chapel 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601.

Memorial contributions are suggested to IHMC earmarked for liturgical items needed for the church or Masses.

Please share memories on Verland’s tribute page at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com