Daniel R. Woolard

Daniel Ralph Woolard was born in Great Bend, Kansas on May 31, 1950 and died peacefully at home in Kinsley, Kansas on May 13, 2024.  He was the son of Ralph and Irene (Fischer) Woolard.

After graduating from Lewis High School in 1968, Dan decided to give college a try and spent one semester at Hutchinson Community College.  As he would often say, "College wasn't my thing".  Dan moved back to Lewis and went to work as a hired farm hand and in manufacturing.  Then, in 1975 he joined his father Ralph to start Midway Manufacturing building hydraulic cylinders.  In the early years of Midway, business was scarce, and to make things more difficult, Ralph died in 1980.  Through decades of ups and downs, Midway would eventually become successful and was the fulfillment of a dream built on hard-work, dedication, and a commitment to never give up.

Although Dan's legacy is one of hard-work to build a successful business, he also spent years supporting his three children's academic and athletic pursuits. He was also actively involved as an assistant scoutmaster for the Boy Scout troop in Lewis.  Through years of campouts, meetings, and cross-country trips, Dan played an integral part helping numerous young men grow through scouting.  Even after his days in the scouts were over, he would often tell stories and beam with pride when bragging about the number of boys that achieved the rank of Eagle Scout.

Dan retired from Midway Manufacturing on April 7, 2018 and found new love when he married Bev on May 26, 2018.  He spent his retirement enjoying his time at home in his pool, attending car shows, and traveling to arts and craft shows with Bev.

Dan was preceded in death by his father Ralph and mother Irene (Fischer).  He is survived by his wife Bev Woolard; his sister Linda Schnoebelen (Mike), Lewis, KS; his sister Lorra Jagow (John), Warsaw, MO; his son Jason Woolard (Carin), Wichita, KS; his son Joshua Woolard (Katie), Stilwell, KS; his daughter Jennifer Shewmake (Cole), Webb City, MO; his step-son Jason Hattrup, Wichita, KS; and eight beautiful grandchildren.

Visitation will be Wednesday, May 22nd from 10am until 7pm and Thursday, May 23rd from 10am until 5pm at McKillip Memorial Funeral Home, Kinsley.  The rosary for Dan will be held at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Kinsley, KS on Thursday, May 23rd at 7PM.  Funeral mass will be held at St. Nicholas Catholic church on Friday, May 24th at 10AM. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been set up for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and St. Nicholas Catholic Church.