SPEARVILLE – Gaylord Moritz, 87, passed away Tuesday, February 1, 2022 at Western Plains Medical Complex from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.

He was born March 28, 1934 at Milford, Kansas, the son of Oscar and Isabel (Bitterlin) Moritz.  Gaylord was a graduate of Milford High School and attended Kansas State University. On September 15, 1956 Gaylord married Shirley Bollig at St. John the Baptist Church. They lived in Wichita where he was the owner of a moving and storage business until they moved to Spearville in 1964. He was a farmer and cattleman and had worked part time for American Products and the Farmland Feed Mill.

He was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus Council 1539 and the Spearville Senior Center.

Survivors include: his wife of 65 years, Shirley; their children, Larry Moritz and wife Grace, Pineville, Missouri, Cheryl Dodson and husband Ed, Silver Spring, Maryland, Greg Moritz and wife Teresa, Towanda, Kansas and Lynette Kessen and husband Kenny, Dodge City; a sister, Beverly Greenwood, Milford; a sister-in-law, Darlene Moritz, Chapman, Kansas; 8 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, 1 great-great grandchild, 2 step-grandchildren, 6 step-great grandchildren and 4 step great-great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Jim Moritz and brother-in-law, Morris Greenwood.

Vigil service will be at 7:00 pm Sunday, February 6, 2022 at St. John the Baptist Church.  Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 am Monday at the church with Fr. John Forkuoh presiding.  Burial will follow in St. John Cemetery, Spearville.  There will be no public viewing, cremation has taken place.

The family suggests memorials to the Shriners Hospital for Children in care of Ziegler Funeral Chapel, 1901 N. 14 ^th Ave., Dodge City, Kansas 67801.