Longtime Hays resident, Gerald Thomas Kirchen, age 79, passed away Friday, November 27, 2009 at Hays Medical Center, after a valiant 5 month struggle with multiple health issues.

Gerald was born June 17, 1930 in Anna, Ohio, the son of Charles John and Leota Gladys (Blackmere) Kirchen. Moving to Oswatomie, Kansas He graduated High School and attended Assemblies of God Southwestern Bible College in Waxachie Tx. Gerald married Darlene Marie Regehr on September 6, 1953. They enjoyed 56 wonderful years of marriage. He served our country in the United States Army during the end of World War II, as well as the Korean conflict. Gerald was well known for being an automobile salesman, working as sales manager for Ben Dreiling Motors in Hays and helping his son, John at J-J Auto Sales in Plainville. Gerald spent much of his life, in the sales field. As a young man he and Darlene also traveled as Evangelist's after attending Bible College. In the late 70's Gerald was proud of his children as they began touring in ministry as the 100%ers singing group and later joined them as minister and bus driver.

Jerry loved adventure, his favorite past times were jogging and flying airplanes. He learned to fly when he was sixteen on an old Steerman bi-plane taking pride in his daring aerobatics. He earned his flying license and retained it for many years. During the 60's he flew the mail route to Omaha and back. Gerald enjoyed sharing his passion of aviation flying with numerous local pilots.

Other interest were cars, racing, and motorcycles. Jerry drove a 1957 Pontiac drag car he and his friend built in the 60's. He loved motorcycles buying his first in 1948 an Indian Chief. Later he taught Darlene to ride and their entire family took vacations on motorcycles even including the family dog. He dearly loved dogs.

Gerald will be dearly missed by his wife, Darlene; his daughter Jeanette and husband Jack Haskett of Plainville; his son John of Plainville; a brother Charles of Biloxi, Mississippi; three grandchildren Shelly Slothower, Jeremy Slothower and wife Jamie, and David Haskett; and two great grandchildren Josiah and Jordan. Gerald also had many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters Gloria and Louise, and two half-sisters Isabel and Martha.

Services will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 1, 2009 at the Harvest Christian Church, Plainville.

Visitation will be Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Monday from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. with family present from 6:00 p.m to 8:00 p.m. to receive friends at the Mosher-Kemp Family Funeral Home, 320 SW 2nd, Plainville, KS 67663.

Burial will be in the Plainville Cemetery with military honors by the Plainville VFW.

Memorial contributions are suggested to One Hope, helping to spread the Word of God to all the Children of the world. Memorials may be sent in care of the funeral home.

Tributes to the family may be made in the form of condolences left at www.mosher-kemp.com.