Delmer Henry Thibault

Delmer Henry Thibault, a former Hutchinson resident, passed away on October 19, 2024, at Locust Grove Village in Lacrosse, at the age of 89.

He was born July 15, 1935, in Graham County, Kansas, to Leo and Lola (Benoit) Thibault, the oldest of twelve siblings. Delmer began his life in Bogue and Damar until the Dust Bowl, the drought, and hopes of a better job moved his family to California in August 1943, during the midst of WWII. The Thibaults spent the next few years in California until they moved back to Osborne, Kansas, to farm in 1946.

Delmer graduated from Osborne High School on May 21, 1953. He and his cousin, Jed Simoneau, decided that the military was the best pursuit. Delmer enlisted in the Army on July 28, 1955, and was a mechanic in the Army's 2nd Howitzer Battalion in the 6th Artillery Regiment. He received numerous decorations for his service. He was honorably discharged on June 30, 1963.

Returning from the Army, Delmer and friends Marvin Reynolds and Don Forgue worked for contractors to build the Wilson Lake dam and other dams in Kansas. After doing this for a couple of years, they decided to enroll at Fort Hays State University, where Delmer pursued a degree in psychology with help from the GI Bill and by working as an orderly and operating room technician at Hadley Medical Center in Hays, Kansas.

In 1965, Delmer met Patricia Schuckman at Fort Hays State University, then married on September 10, 1966, at St Joseph Catholic Church in Hays, Kansas. They lived in Wooster Place, then Agnew Hall and McMindes Hall as resident managers. After Delmer completed his undergraduate degree in psychology and then his master's degree in counseling in August 1968, he started working at High Plains Mental Health in Hays. They moved to Ellis, Kansas, in 1973, where they welcomed their only child, Paul, in 1976 and later separated.

Delmer spent many of his years in Hutchinson, Kansas, where he set roots and worked as a psychologist at Horizons Mental Health Center. He was very dedicated to his profession and enjoyed helping his clients. He looked forward to summer vacations with his son Paul, biking, hiking, and exploring Missouri and Arkansas. They played tennis on most summer nights and had countless weekend trips to Cheney Lake near Wichita to go sailboating. 

Delmer met Marilyn Marie Clarke Sherman in May of 2010 at the Elmdale Senior Center in Hutchinson, where they danced and visited with friends. Delmer and Marilyn were engaged on September 29, 2010. They enjoyed vacationing during their time together and attending an annual trip to Branson to meet his Army Battalion friends. They both retired from their careers together in 2011 and have been together ever since. 

Delmer was a devoted father. He was kindhearted, well-read, very hard-working, and industrious. He had a great sense of humor and an ornery streak that got him into trouble a time or two. He loved spending his free time sailing, biking, tinkering, working on old tractors, going to threshing festivals, listening to French Cajun and classical music, and playing cards. Going to auctions was his favorite pastime. Delmer will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

He is survived by son Paul Thibault (Jennifer), grandchildren Miles and Martin Thibault, significant other Marilyn Sherman, and siblings Leola Crittendon, Albuquerque, N.M., Sister Carmella Thibault, Concordia, Gerry Peterson, Salina, Joyce (Dan) Rice, Hays, Marion (Paul) Steichen, Salina, Gary (Gayle) Thibault, Omaha, Neb., Alvin (Danette) Thibault, Omaha, Neb., Lonnie (Lea) Thibault, Osborne, Lester Thibault, Osborne, and Bob Thibault, Topeka.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Darlene Curry of Plainville.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at noon at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 215 West 13th Street, Hays, Kansas 67601. Inurnment, inclusive of Military Honors, will follow the services in the parish cemetery. Memorial visitation will be on Friday, October 25, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with a parish vigil service at 7:00 p.m. at Keithley Funeral Homes and Crematory - Brock's Chapel, 2509 Vine Street Hays, Kansas 67601, and from 11:00 a.m. until service time on Saturday at the Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Fort Hays State University - General Scholarship Fund via https://foundation.fhsu.edu/donate/

Services in care of: Keithley Funeral Homes and Crematory - Brock's Chapel, 2509 Vine Street Hays, Kansas 67601.