Raymond J. Hermesch, 80, of Goff, KS, died Friday, August 29, 2003, at the Sabetha Hospital.

He was born October 19, 1922, on a farm east of Kelly, KS, the son of Fred and Mary Wessel Hermesch. He grew up there, attended St. Bede’s School at Kelly, and helped on the family farm. During World War II he served in the U.S. Army in the European Theater as a military policeman.

On December 30, 1950, he married Eleanor Winkler at St. Bede’s Church in Kelly. She survives of the home. He was a dairy farmer for 43 years. They celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 2000.

He was a member of St. Bede’s Church at Kelly where he had served on the parish council, and was a member of the Knights of Columbus #1769 at Seneca. He had also served on the board of the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital, was active with Dairy Herd Improvement Association (DHIA) programs and many other community activities. Ray loved sports, especially watching his grandchildren play ball and listening to Royals baseball.

Survivors are six sons, David of Coweta, OK, Dennis of Plymouth, NE, Gary of Tulsa, OK, Kevin of Cedar Rapids, IA, Duane and Bruce, both of Seneca; three daughters, Linda Honeyman of Seneca, Judy McDaniel of Topeka, Diane Cardwell of Ames, IA; three brothers, Fred and Ben Hermesch of Seneca, and Lawrence of Alamosa, IA; two sisters, Mary Brucken of Holton and Theresa Winkler of Corning; and 23 grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by five brothers, Kenneth, Albert, Frank, Ed, and Lambert; and five sisters, Lucy Hermesch, Anna Brokamp, Rita Buser Perdue, Agnes Rempe and Sr. Amanda.

Mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 AM Tuesday at St. Bede’s Church in Kelly. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Rosaries will be prayed at 7 PM Sunday and 2 & 7 PM Monday at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.

Memorials may be given for St. Bede’s Church and sent in care of the family.