Obituary

Gilbert P. Pankratz, 94, died Saturday (Sept. 6, 2008) at Schowalter Villa in Hesston.

He was born March 18, 1914, in Moundridge, the son of Margaretha Regier and Cornelius G. Pankratz. A member of West Zion Mennonite Church, Gilbert attended school in Moundridge, graduating from high school there in 1932. He spent much of his early years with his father learning the carpentry trade, working in home construction until shortly after the start of World War II, when he transferred to Boeing, employed in a supervisory capacity in the sheet metal shop until the war ended in 1945. He then returned to the carpentry work he loved best, first as foreman on a housing project, later working for different small contractors.

From 1960 until his retirement in 1985, he held the position of cabinetmaker for S.H. Womer Building Co., not only building all cabinets in the homes but engaging in trim and finish carpentry as well. With the company's dissolution at the death of its owner, Gilbert retired and turned to wood carving as a hobby, producing items with the same expertise, proficiency and eye for detail as he previously applied to his cabinet making.

On May 18, 1936, he married Opal C. Bitikofer in Hesston. They lived in Moundridge for a number of years before moving to Wichita, where they spent most of their lives, eventually returning to Hesston in their retirement years, where he was a member of Hesston First United Methodist Church. While in Wichita, he was an active member of College Hill United Methodist Church and its Silver Links Sunday School class, as well as a member of and performer in its male quartet. Opal preceded him in death on Oct. 24, 2007.

Survivors include one son and wife, Gaylon and Lu Ann Pankratz of Larned; two grandsons and wives, Michael and Christine Pankratz of Wichita and David and Kellie Pankratz of Cheney; five great-grandchildren, Nicholas, Daniel, Thomas, Noel and Lily Pankratz; one brother, Elbert Pankratz of Arvada, Colo.; and one sister, Elizabeth Zuercher of Weatherford, Texas.

Gilbert was preceded in death by two brothers, Waldo and Ronald Pankratz; and five sisters, Esther Pankratz, Frieda Suderman, Marie Will, Margaret Ash and Fern Ruth.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Schowalter Villa Chapel, 200 W. Cedar St. in Hesston. Graveside service will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Hesston Cemetery, with Pastor Tom Schneider presiding. Memorials may be made to Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice or Schowalter Villa in care of Miller Funeral Home in Hesston, which is in charge of arrangements.