Eugene P. Debes, 85, died April 2, 2025, in Great Bend, Kansas. Born Nov. 3, 1939, he was the son of John A. and Helen (Huslig) Debes. Gene graduated from Odin High School in 1957, and served two years activity duty in the U.S. Army then was in the Army Reserves. He married Phyllis Pfannenstiel in 1961; they later divorced. He worked part time for a local farmer and retired from West Plains Energy.

Gene loved farming and being outdoors. He was a master welder and loved to tinker, whether that was building something or fixing it. Many in the family have his handmade items to cherish. For years he planted a garden, and in his later years took great pride in keeping up his lawn and surrounding trees. Following retirement, he enjoyed socializing in town over morning coffee and afternoon pop.

Gene was a member of Prince of Peace Parish – St. Patrick’s and was a 4th degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus Council #862.

Gene is survived by his two daughters, Jolene Johnson of Great Bend and Karla Seals of Wichita; five grandchildren, Adassa (Josh) Roe of Westmoreland, Evan (Nicole) Johnson of Springfield, Ill., Eric (Holly) Johnson of Great Bend, Rebekah (Peter) Goodge of Lantana, Texas, and Aaron (Melanie) Seals of El Paso, Texas; nine great grandchildren, Sheridan Johnson, Will Roe, Clayton Johnson, Hunter Deisher, Amelia Deisher, Piper Goodge, Logan Seals, Rhys Goodge, and Dean Johnson; eight brothers, Father Don Debes of Victoria, Ken Debes of Hays, Tom Debes of Odin, Bernard Debes of Clyde, Leon Debes of Boonsboro, Maryland, Frank Debes of Odin, John Debes of Hoisington, Mike Debes of Dodge City; and three sisters, Doris Feist of Claflin, Louetta Feist of Claflin, and Patricia Feist of Austin, Minnesota. He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Florence Debes, Helen Detmer, and Pauline Oberle; son-in-law, C.D. Johnson; and sister-in-law, Deborah Debes.

Visitation will take place from noon to 8 p.m. Monday, April 7, 2025, with family receiving guests from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., and vigil service with Knights of Columbus Rosary at 7 p.m., all at Bryant Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, with Father Prakash Kola presiding. Interment will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park. Memorials have been designated to the Capuchin Mission Fund, in care of Bryant Funeral Home, 1425 Patton Rd., Great Bend, KS 67530.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Bryant Funeral Home

1425 Patton Rd.

Great Bend, KS 67530

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, April 5, 2025