Cleatus Dinkel

Cleatus Dinkel passed away early in the morning on Monday, November 3, 2025. He was born on October 24, 1939, in Grainfield, KS to Alex and Anna Dinkel. He lived a life full of faith and fought every day to spend a little more time with his family and friends.

Nothing was more important than family to Cleatus, and he was always ready for the next get together. He never knew a stranger and gave everyone he came across a hard time, with a pinch of love. He might not have remembered your name, but he’d be sure to give you an extra special nickname like “Half Pint,” “Chief,” or “Governor”.

Cleatus attended grade school at Assumption Catholic School and went on to Hayden High School in Topeka. He began working in 8th grade at the local grocery store, Railway Sales, to help the family out financially.

Cleatus served in the US Army for four years and for two of those years was stationed in Germany. He then began his career in the car business at Laird Noller, then went on to work at Jim Clarks as part-owner. He also owned Dinkel’s Used Cars in Topeka and Dinkel Chevrolet/Oldsmobile in Wamego and ended his car salesman career at Bill Kobach’s. You could then find him at the Pizza Parlor.

Cleatus found joy in singing hymns in mass on Sundays and contributing to the organizations in the Topeka community. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree, Optimist Club of Topeka, Masons, and a Shriner.

Cleatus married Sherrie (Longstaff) on October 19, 1957, at Assumption Catholic Church in Topeka, Kansas. They never left each other’s side. They loved watching their six grandchildren grow up and were always present at their sporting events, recitals, and academic ceremonies.

He is survived by two siblings Elmer (Marilyn) Dinkel of Overland Park, and Ella Roberts of Pratt; two children Alicia (Paul) Moylan of Shawnee and Eric (Lanelle) Dinkel of Topeka; six grandchildren Connor (Kate) Dinkel, Kennedy (Ricky) Lee, Carson Dinkel, Mitch Moylan, Brianna Moylan, and Ian Moylan; and an extensive network of family and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Alex and Anna Dinkel; six siblings, Helen Dinkel, Roseley Dinkel, Laverne (Dolores) Dinkel, Wilfred Dinkel, Bill (Mary) Dinkel, and Leona Frye; and three children Cleatus, Susan, and Klouse Dinkel.

The Dinkel family would like to thank everyone that has cared for Cleatus the last ten months. During that time, he never gave up and continued to have that sweet smile on his face and the best hugs that he was known for.

We are comforted by all the amazing moments we shared, weddings, birthdays, holidays, ball games, trips, card games, and of course casino time. We hope he was greeted in Heaven by loving friends and family, a full slot machine, with a ball game on in the background.

Cleatus’s family will greet friends from 10:00 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Fr. Andrew Gaffney will lead the rosary beginning at 10:30 followed by a rosary lead by the Knights of Columbus. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., all at the church. Burial will be at Mount Calvary Cemetery where Cleatus will be laid to rest near his friends and family.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the American Cancer Society and Sacred Heart Catholic Church. 

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