DAVID HAFLIGER

DAVID HAFLIGER 4/6/1948 - 9/18/2025 David "Dave" Eugene Hafliger, 77, has gone fishing in the great beyond. He passed away on Thursday, September 18, 2025. He was born in Hays, KS, on April 6, 1948, to Calvin and Willa "Ruth" (Gordon) Hafliger. On August 9, 1970, he was united in marriage to Linda Sue Wynn at the Ogallah Christian Church. Together they cherished 49 years of marriage and raised four children before her passing in 2020. Growing up in a stone house south of WaKeeney, KS, he worked hard on the family farm. Much of his spare time was spent fishing at the nearby pond or Big Creek River with cousins and friends, where his lifelong love of hunting and fishing began. In his teen years, Saturday nights often meant roller skating at the local rink where he eventually met his beloved Linda Sue. A graduate of Trego Community High School in 1966, he spent summers working on a farm in Kingman, KS, before being drafted into the U.S. Army at age 19. He served in Vietnam from 1968 to 1969 and was awarded several medals, taking special pride in his Marksman (M-14) and Sharpshooter (M-16) designations. Though he rarely spoke of his time in service, it gave him a quiet toughness and grit. He later served at Fort Riley, KS, and Fort Polk, Louisiana, completing his three-year term before enlisting in the U.S. Army Reserves. His honorable discharge came on March 1, 1974. Throughout his life he held many jobs to provide for his family, including driving a milk truck and a fuel truck, welding, roughnecking in the oil fields, and assisting veterinarians at local sale barns. His greatest joy, however, came from his role as "Grandpa Dave" or "Old Grandpa." He adored his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, attending their activities whenever possible despite recent health challenges. Each new grandchild received a fishing pole at birth, a tradition that reflected both his humor and his love. Known for his straight talk and his signature "Dave Style" of poking fun, his way of teasing was always his way of saying, "I love you." Survivors include two sons, Jonathan (Teressa) and Jeffrey (Michelle); two daughters, Jayme (Charles) Ghumm and Jessica (Tracy) Buchholz; 12 grandchildren: Ethan (Whitney), David (Taylor), Kaitlyn (James), Madison (William), Aliyah, Aspen, Jacy, Abigail, Emily (Hunter), Bryn (Jaycee), Tyrel, and Jordyn (David); and 18 great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind two sisters, Sandy (Dave) Schneider and Linda (Verlin) Weber. Preceding him in death were his wife, Linda; an infant great-grandson, Garret James Richmeier; his parents, Calvin and Ruth Hafliger; an infant brother, Larry Hafliger; his in-laws, Carroll and Deryl Wynn; a brother-in-law, Joseph Braun Jr.; a nephew, Wayne Braun; and a niece, Diane Henderson. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at Ogallah Christian Church, 305 Centre St., Ogallah, KS 67656. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the David Hafliger Memorial Fund and sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 N. 12th St., WaKeeney, KS 67672. To share memories or leave condolences, please visit www.schmittfuneral.com.