Gary Dean Appleby , 82 years of age, of Concordia passed away Friday, September 22, 2023 at Wellsprings of Westmoreland in Westmoreland, Kansas.  He was born on October 3, 1940 in Ames, Kansas to Verle and Marie (Fuller) Appleby.

Gary was a graduate of Clyde High School  and just celebrated his 65th class reunion.

He married Karen Mallam on Sept 5, 1964.  To this Union 4 daughters were born.  They later divorced.  He married Patsy Zimmerman on May 15th, 1995 and 5 bonus kids were added to this blended family.

Gary served in the US Army National Guard and was honorably discharged in 1968.

He worked for the Prairieland Electric Power Corporation and after his retirement went to work part time at the Cloud County transfer Station, drove semis for farmers during harvest and then began driving the school bus for USD 333 until his health forced him to give it up.

Gary was a member of the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Moose Lodge, Knights of Columbus, and the American Legion all of Concordia.

Gary enjoyed bird hunts with his hunting dogs Duke and Princess, fishing, playing scratch tickets, wood working, where he made jewelry boxes for all his girls, also tinkering with anything that he could maybe make a nickel on.  Gary's favorite hobby was spending time with family and was proud of all 9 kids.

Gary is survived by his daughters, Debbie (Randy) Thoman, Laura Hittle, Concordia, Rhonda Stadel (Dan Lyle), Beth (Kevin) Umscheid, Westmoreland, Allen "Jake" (Melissa) Brown, Minneapolis, KS, Edwina (Ron) Olson, Enid, OK, Kriste (Greg) Rietcheck, Bavaria, KS, Melva Brown (Clifford), Luciana (Jeromy) Thrash, Concordia, KS, 19 Grandkids and 25 Great Grandkids.  He has one surviving brother Gail Appleby of Garden City, KS; and his beloved 4 legged companion Bella.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 2 brothers, 1 sister and 1 foster sister, wife, Patsy Appleby, 1 granddaughter Alicia Thoman Graff.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m., Tuesday, September 26, 2023 at the Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home, Concordia Kansas.  A Rosary Service will be prayed at 6:00 p.m., Tuesday, evening with the Family receiving friends after the Rosary Service.

Mass of a Christian Burial will be held 10:00 a.m, Wednesday, September 27, 2023, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Concordia, Kansas with Fr. Joseph Kieffer officiating.   Burial will follow in the St. Paul's Catholic Cemetery Delphos, Kansas.

Memorial Contributions may be given to American Cancer Society in care of Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home, PO Box 606, Concordia, KS 66901. Condolences may be left online at www.chaputbuoy.com.