Charles "Mike" Dirck

It isn’t possible to easily sum up a life as unique as Mikes. He woke up each morning, embracing life and ready to start stirring the pot. People were drawn to him because of his sense of onery fun. He delighted in teasing waitresses, amusing children by clicking his partial plate up and down and assigning crazy nicknames to people that stuck through the years.

At one point he dubbed himself “Mayor of Waco-Wego”, a totally fictional position, but which gained him immediate telephone access to city and state leaders - much to their chagrin. He called himself the “ole plumber” and was the owner of A-Plus Plumbing in Haysville, KS. Everyone he knew could hardly wait for Christmas when Mike would host an open house party at his shop serving punch out of a toilet bowl! People gravitated to Mike because ...” what is this man going to do next? “

On the other side of the spectrum, Mike was an athlete and played several different sports for the Derby Panthers in high school and football in college. He served his country in the thick of battle in Vietnam, earning a Bronze Star. He owned and operated his plumbing company for over 48 years. He and his wife attended Southgate Country Baptist Church. He was a member of the Haysville Lions Club, Chamber of Commerce and the The American Legion. He was a lifetime member of the VFW and a lifetime member of PHCCA (Plumbing, Heating, Cooling Contractors Association). He was an expert on plumbing codes and their application, which afforded him the opportunity to represent the plumbing industry on legislative issues on local, state, and national levels. For many years, and he taught classes through the technical college to help Journeymen and Master plumbers prepare to take their state certification exams

After retiring from plumbing, he went to work for his friend at the Fairfield Polo Club, where he was a jack of all trades. He loved caring for the polo ponies. He even got his general contractor license so he could help renovate a 100-year-old barn and several houses for the club.

Mike loved Jesus Christ, his family, friends, animals, sports, camping, motor home, travel, and fun, After his stroke, Mike taught us life was precious in any form as he faced unimaginable challenges with determination and Grace, never losing that twinkle in his eye.

He is survived by his wife of 43 years Shirley, Haysville; sons Brad (Michelle) Dunn, Flower Mound, Texas; Matt (Tina) Dunn and grandchildren Miya and Dalton Dunn, Wichita, KS, and brother Robert (Sue) Dirck, Great Bend. KS

God gave us this rare man who entertained and loved us well.

A private family graveside service will be held at the Kansas Veterans Cemetery.