Bernard W. “Bernie” Dieker, age 86, of Ulysses, Kansas died Tuesday, May 29, 2012 at Bob Wilson Memorial Hospital in Ulysses, Kansas.  He was born June 7, 1925 in Westphalia, Kansas, the son of Clement and Lena (Weber) Dieker.

Bernie graduated from high school in Westphalia, Kansas. As a youth he was active in town team baseball as a pitcher. He moved to Lakin at the age of 18 and farmed. On December 15, 1945, he married Evonne Lucille Ferrell in Syracuse, Kansas. In 1947, he moved to Ulysses, Kansas and began working for Hugoton Production Company and retired as a plant operator from Mesa Petroleum in 1989. When not working at the plant, Bernie also hauled freight locally and worked at the Champion Filling Station, Merritt Oil, and Tarbet Redi-Mix. Bernie enjoyed bowling and was an assistant scout master.

He is survived by his wife, Lucille Dieker of the home; two sons, Steve Dieker and wife Tamara of Ulysses, Kansas, Eddie Dieker of Iola, Kansas; three daughters, Patricia Yohn and husband David of Ulysses, Kansas, Shirley Russ and husband Reford of Yorktown, Virginia, Debbie Pate and husband Steve of Elkhart, Kansas; 12 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. 

Bernie is preceded in death by his parents, Clement and Lena Dieker; two sisters, Ann Michael, Marie Lutz; six brothers, William Dieker, Frederick Dieker, Clarence Dieker, and Raymond Dieker, Robert Dieker and Paul Dieker.

Vigil service will be held Friday, June 1, 2012 at 7:00 PM and funeral mass will be held Saturday, June 2, 2012 at 10:00 AM at Mary, Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Ulysses, Kansas with Reverend Jim Dieker officiating. Interment will follow at the Ulysses Cemetery. Friends may call Friday, June 1, 2012 from 10:00 AM until 5:00 PM at Garnand Funeral Home in Ulysses. Memorial contributions may be given to the Arthritis Foundation or Mary, Queen of Peace Catholic Church bell tower fund in care of Garnand Funeral Home, 405 W. Grant Ave, Ulysses, KS 67880.