Rudolph T. Waldschmidt, 87, Ellis, died Monday, Nov. 16, 2009, at Trego County-Lemke Memorial Hospital, WaKeeney.

He was born Feb. 8, 1922, in rural Ellis County to John and Anna (Kessler) Waldschmidt. He was a 1942 graduate of Ellis High School.

He married Agnes Fisher on Oct. 5, 1943, in Ellis. He was a farmer and oilfield worker. He worked for Dreiling Oil for 26 years.

He was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church, Ellis.

Survivors include his wife, Ellis; four sons, Ronald Waldschmidt and wife, Diana, Russell, John Waldschmidt and wife, Linda, Victoria, and Charlie Waldschmidt and wife, Verlene, and Pete Waldschmidt and wife, Sandy, all of Ellis; seven daughters, Connie Fink and husband, Ernie III, Viola Fischer, Judy Herman and husband, Jack Carver, Paula Befort and husband, Howard, and Debbie Herman and husband, Randy, all of Ellis, Phyllis Richards and husband, Johnny, WaKeeney, and DeeDee Dolny and husband, Bruce, Shawnee; 25 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a son, Richard Waldschmidt; a grandson, Scott Waldschmidt; six brothers; and four sisters.

Services will be at 3 p.m. Thursday at St. Mary Catholic Church, Ellis; burial in St. Mary Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today and from 2 to 2:30 p.m. Thursday, both at Keithley Funeral Chapel, 400 E. 17th, Ellis, KS 67637.

A rosary service will be at 6:30 p.m. today, followed by a wake at 7 p.m., both at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to St. Mary Catholic Church, St. Mary School or Ellis Good Samaritan Center in care of the funeral home.

Condolences can be sent to the family at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or keithley@ruraltel.net.