George Joseph Schuckman

October 3, 1932 ~ October 28, 2022
George Joseph Schuckman was born in the German community of Liebenthal, Kansas on October 3, 1932, to Alphonse & Caroline (Schoendaller) Schuckman. He lived there until he was in the fourth grade when his family moved to Wichita where his father found work at Beech Aircraft Company. He went to St. Joseph Catholic Grade school and graduated from St. Mary’s Cathedral High School in 1950. Mathematical figures were his expertise, and he went to Wichita Business College. When he finished school, it was difficult for young men to find a job because they were draft age. He went to work for a small family-owned shoe store selling orthopedic shoes. Desiring to not wait around to be drafted he convinced some of his buddies that they should enlist. Unfortunately, he did not pass his physical for the armed services due to a medical condition. Subsequently, he was hired as a buyer for Boeing Aircraft Co. He worked there for 16 years until a downturn in the economy and Wichita reached a 13% unemployment rate. Fortunately, he was hired by the City of Wichita and worked his way up the ladder to become Purchasing Manager until his retirement in 1995. In his retirement years he started a business called Vinyl Touch, installing wallpaper, a task that most people thought was impossible. After his second retirement he spent his mornings going to daily Mass, unless he was attending a funeral, which he and Vi did often. He once said, “It is a little scary when the funeral directors know you by name.” In 1951 he met the love of his life, Viola “Vi” Kaess. They were married on January 17, 1953, at St. Joseph Catholic Church. To that union were born four sons, Michael, Ken, Lawrence, and Alan. George was active in coaching his sons and their friends in baseball and basketball. When he wasn’t coaching, he was their biggest fan cheering from the sidelines, or yelling from the stands at the referees. He rarely missed any of his grandchildren’s many sporting events. He also donned a Boy Scout uniform, serving St. Francis Troop 762 as a Scout leader. The Schuckman family enjoyed camping and boating. George and Vi were avid bridge players. At family gatherings, Mexican train dominoes and Yahtzee were the games of choice. He joined the Knights of Columbus in February, 1952, and became a dedicated member helping to establish the west Wichita Council #4118. He served the council for many years as financial secretary and then as grand knight. He also served the Kansas State Council as District Deputy and State Treasurer. He joined the 4th Degree Columbia Assembly of the Knights of Columbus in October, 1955. George again held many positions, including Faithful Purser, Faithful Navigator, and his most cherished office, Commander of the Fourth Degree Honor Guard. He led many honor guards at priesthood ordinations, First Masses, Chrism Masses, the Midwest Catholic Conference, and especially the funerals of brother Knights. George’s involvement in the Knights of Columbus earned him the unofficial title of “Mr. Knight of Columbus.” George was active in organizing a second Serra Club in the Diocese of Wichita to further the promotion of vocations to the priesthood and religious life within the Catholic Church and to deepen his own spirituality. Once again, he didn’t simply become a member but served in many leadership roles including president and district governor. George was an active steward in St. Francis of Assisi Parish which he and Vi have been members for more than 58 years. He served on the finance committee, was an usher, lector, Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, money counter, Lord’s Diner volunteer, and assisted on many building campaigns for the parish. George Schuckman loved to dance or as he liked to say - “cut a rug.” “Kansas City” was his favorite song. It was at a dance that he first laid eyes on Vi. Before he went to ask her for a dance he told his good friend, Jim Flanigan, “I am going to marry that girl.” They celebrated more than 69 years of married love. Who said “Love at first sight is not real.” George Schuckman loved his Catholic faith, his family, his friends and life in general. George was preceded in death by his parents, Alphonse & Caroline Schuckman; son, Michael; grandson, Dylan; brother and sister-in-law, Leo and Virginia Schuckman and sister, Ruth George. He is survived by his wife, Vi; sons Fr. Ken, Lawrence (Brenda), and Alan (Kelley); his grandchildren Erica Schuckman, Luke (Amber) Schuckman, Caroline (Ross) Nichols, Kelsi, Kylie, Kassie, and Khloe Schuckman; great-grandchildren, Acacia Schorn, Madeline and Lila Schuckman, Eastyn and Carston Schuckman; Otto, Walker, and Lawson Nichols, his sister Carol Ann Schuckman and brother-in-law Don George. Rosary will be 7:00 pm, Friday, November 4, 2022, Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 am, Saturday, November 5, 2022, both at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. Funeral Mass will be Live Streamed through the church. To view, please go to YouTube and search "St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Wichita, KS." In lieu of flowers memorials have been established with St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Rebuild My Church, 861 N. Socora, Wichita, KS 67212, Bishop Carroll Catholic High School, 8101 West Central, Wichita, KS 67212, and Priest Retirement & Education Fund c/o Catholic Diocese, Serra Club Msgr. Thomas McGread Seminarian Education Endowment, 424 N. Broadway, Wichita, KS 67202. The Schuckman family would like to extend a special thanks to Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice for the compassionate care they gave George at their St. Francis location during his final days, especially to Shelly and Janis. Also, another special thank you to the staff at Catholic Charities Adults Day Services where George attended three days a week for the past year. When we picked him up he would always say, "I had a good day!" Services in care of Downing and Lahey Mortuary West.
Schuckman Family;
George was a great example to all that knew him . Example as a Family man, example as a Catholic, a Person and as a Knight.
May he rest in pease.
Tom Zarda
What a great loss to his family and our Catholic community. Our condolences to the family. May he rest in peace.
Sending love to you all.