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Andy Hoard, Age 96

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Andy Junior Hoard, 96, passed away Saturday, March 31, 2018 at Downs Care and Rehabilitation Center, Downs, KS. He was born March 22, 1922 in Minneapolis, KS, the son of Andrew Johnson Hoard and Minnie Ethel Bell Smith Hoard. The Hoard family moved to Lamar, KS where he attended school. In 1930 they moved south of Miltonville and Andy finished school at Sleepy Hollow in 1938. Andy helped work on the family farm. In 1939 Andy moved with his family to North Branch and continued farming. He worked for various farmers and on a turkey ranch. In the fall of 1940 Andy and his brother joined the three C's. He belonged until 1942. Andy was drafted into the Army on October 22, 1942 during WWII. He was a Military Policeman guarding the Italian Prisoners of War for two years. He went overseas in the fall of 1945 and spent four months in the Philippine Islands with the 77th Division. He next served in Japan for four months. He served as a medic in the Philippine Islands and Japan. He was honorably discharged on February 14, 1946. After returning to civilian life Andy moved to Bellville, KS and worked for the county for five years. He then moved to Salina and worked for the Royal Tire Company for sixteen years. Andy met his future wife through his brother Dean in 1956. He and Grace Ruth Carter were united in marriage on November 7, 1959 in Smith Center at her parents' home. To this union two daughters were born, Marlene and Linda. The family resided in Salina for eight years. In 1967 Andy and his family moved to Smith Center to live with his ailing mother-in-law. He worked briefly at Mini Max as a bread baker. He was then employed at Phillips 66 service station for the next 12 years. He then was employed at Mike's Standard Station for seven years, until his retirement. Andy and Ruth babysat children for several years. He loved taking care of the children and many of them have kept in touch with him over the years. He made many friends with his good humor and personality. He always went out of his way to help friends, family and strangers. He was always there to lend a helping hand. Andy loved spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He also loved to garden. When Andy's wife became ill with Parkinson's Disease he was a dedicated care-giver for several years at home, and then after she was placed in Long Term Care he spent every day with her. After her death he continued to make weekly visits with other residents of the nursing home. Coffee time at Paul's Cafe was the start of Andy's daily rituals. Talking, joking and playing pranks with the coffee drinking group of friends was an important part of his day. If he wasn't there for some reason, he was missed. He loved driving around town to see what was going on. He also spent a lot of time at auctions, finding a bargain was a lot of fun for him.

He was preceded in death by his wife Ruth, parents, Andrew and Minnie Hoard, six brothers, Harry Lee, Earl, Elmer, Charles, Keith and Dean Hoard, four sisters, Mary Jenelda Hoard, Ethel Mikesal, Martha Jane Olson and Jean Taylor; brothers-in-law Ray Howell, Dick Rafferty, Warren Taylor; sisters-in-law, Barbara and Mona Hoard.

Andy is survived by his two daughters, Marlene Benjamin and husband Benny, Linda Baetz and husband Gary all of Smith Center; seven grandchildren; Steven (Brandi) Benjamin of Salina, Diane (Benny) Bohnert, Maranda (Matthew Jacobs) Benjamin, Andrea (Zach) Alford, Brian Baetz, Desiree (Ron Peterson) Bartley all of Smith Center and Doug (Carrie) Baetz of Downs; eleven great-grandchildren, Adam Benjamin of Manhattan, Olivia Benjamin of Salina, Daphne and Isiah Bohnert, Nikki, Andrew and Alex Wilkinson, Xander Bartley all of Smith Center; Courtney, Taylor and Landon Baetz of Downs; two step-great-grandchildren, Parker and Kaylee Graves of Salina,; one brother, Floyd Hoard of Inglewood, CO; two sisters, Evelyn Rafferty of Kansas City, MO; Bertha May Howell of Loveland, CO; a sister-in-law, Letha Hoard of Fort Collins, CO and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, April 6, 2018 at All Faiths Funeral Chapel, Smith Center, KS, with Pastor Mike Gooder officiating. Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 5, 2018 from 1:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. with family present to greet friends from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. until service time Friday at the chapel. Burial will take place in the Fairview Cemetery, Smith Center, KS with military honors. Memorials may be given to the Andy Hoard Memorial Fund and sent in care of the funeral chapel

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