Dateline: Hoisington, Kansas
Donald J. “Don” Reif, 67, died February 10, 2015, at Via Christi Hospital St. Francis, Wichita, Kansas. He was born June 15, 1947, in Great Bend, Kansas, the son of James and Laura (Debes) Reif. Don graduated from Hoisington High School in 1965 and then attended Pittsburg State University. He served in the Army Reserves.

He married Debbie Boxberger in January of 1968. He later married Eudora Lamkins Demel on March 2, 1996, in Great Bend, Kansas.

Don was a farmer and a stockman. He was the owner and operator of Reif Oil Companies, and had formerly worked for Northern Natural Gas in Bushton. Don was also an auctioneer working for Schremmer Auction and Realty.

A lifetime resident of Barton County, he was a member of the American Legion Post #268 in Hoisington. Don was also a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #1521 and was a Shriner with the Midian and Isis Shrine.

He is survived by his wife, Eudora; children, Keith Reif and wife London and Terry Reif and wife Anita, all of Hoisington, Greg Demel and wife Pattie of Wichita, and Darren Demel of Goddard; sisters, Marilyn Hitz of Hudson, Anita Ellison of Great Bend; grandchildren, Bradley, Brooke, Brady, and Brennley Reif, Mallory and Gabrielle Reif, and Molly and Emily Demel; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife, Debbie Reif, and a granddaughter, Claire Demel.
Rosary will be at 7 p.m., Thursday, February, 12, 2015, at Nicholson-Ricke Chapel led by the Knights of Columbus. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, February 13, 2015, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, celebrated by Father Anselm Eke. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, Beaver, Kansas. Friends may call 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children or the St. Joseph Cemetery Fund in care of the Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington KS 67544.

Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.nicholsonrickefh.net