Phillipsburg, KS, resident Terry Lynn Gitchel passed away unexpectedly Saturday, June 26, 2021, in a farming accident operating an ATV in rural Phillips County, KS at the age of 64.

Terry was born April 25, 1957 in Phillipsburg, KS the son of Melvin Roy and Anna Louise (Johnson) Gitchel, the 5 ^th of 8 children, and grew to manhood on the family farm.

He was united in marriage to Donna Kaye Schumacher on October 23, 1982 in Phillipsburg.  From this union came three daughters: Tara, Karma and Shelby. He is survived by his wife, Donna, of the home.

Other survivors include his three daughters Tara Burnham and husband Robin of Arvada, CO, Karma Steelsmith and husband Ron of Phillipsburg, and Shelby Thomas and husband Andrew of Leavenworth, KS; a niece, who was like his daughter, Kimberly Krebs and husband Fritz of Atwood, KS; nine grandchildren: Kennedy (Elmer) Burris and husband Brian, Wyatt, Tehya, Garyn, and Edwyn Burnham, Kihyna, Kameron, Kymber, and Kendryck Steelsmith; five brothers Ralph, Roy, and Rick and wife Sharolyn, all of Phillipsburg Don of Hays, and Gary Littrell and wife Peggy of Phillipsburg; three sisters, Merry Reeh of Oberlin, KS, Sandra Johnson and husband Dennis of Agra, KS, and Susan Lacey and husband "Bean" of Kenai, AK; sister-in-law Jeannie Scharper and husband Anthony of Mahaska, Kansas, sister-in-law Mary Reiter and husband Kenny of Mankato;  and numerous Nieces, Nephews, and Great Nieces and Great Nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Melvin and Louise (Johnson) Gitchel, several great-nieces and great-nephews and other close relatives.

Terry and Donna met one summer afternoon when Terry's brother Gary called Donna over to meet him.  After dating five years, Donna and Terry were united in marriage and established their home in Phillipsburg.

Terry was employed at Tamko at the age of 17, unloading trucks by hand, and continued his career there for 30 years.  Terry was a mentor to many people throughout the years, patiently teaching them how to drive a forklift, as well as many other tasks.

Terry worked at Orscheln for several years.  He was a reliable and patient employee, trusted by many local farmers to know where items were located and if they were in stock. He got dubbed the "ninja forklift operator" when they were moving from the old store to the new one.  When tasked with moving a pallet of merchandise into a particular spot, the other employees thought there was no way possible to get the pallet in where it needed to go.  Terry said, "Tell me where you want it, and get out of the way." And then slipped the load of goods into place with millimeters to spare.

Terry was also a seasonal farm hand for several local farmers, always reliable and knowing just exactly what was expected on the job.  Terry could operate almost any piece of equipment.

Terry was a "tinkerer."  He was a talented mechanic who could tear things apart and repair them, many times to the surprise of others.  Tara recalls that her first lawn mower was resurrected from the city dump.  Terry brought it home and fixed it and it served the family well for five or six years.

His most recent position was at USD #325.  The teachers appreciated his quiet, patient ways as he went about his work.  He was reliable, hard-working, and never complained about whatever job lay before him, no matter how big or small.

As a brother, husband, father and uncle, Terry seemed a man of few words, but loved a good prank.  He rode bulls in his early years, and always loved the rodeo. His mother could never watch his bull riding.  She would cover her eyes and tell the others, "Tell me when it's over!" Aunt Ella offered to pay him the equivalent of the prize money if he would just stay off the bull.  But he never did.

Terry had an ornery side, loving a good party, wedding dance, or other family event. He could cut a rug with the best of them, often resembling a one-man square dance, but he always had fun, including putting his niece's bed on top of her roof on her wedding night and dancing on tables at Shelby's wedding.

His wife and kids brought out the fun and silly side of Terry.  During cherished family moments he revealed his true self by singing a repertoire of country songs with a five-octave range.

Terry had so many interesting hobbies.  He was involved in wrestling as a youth and enjoyed it throughout high school.  The Weinman boys recalled hating wrestling with long-legged opponents.  The coach always paired them with Terry.  They commented to Susan recently, "Coach would always pair us with Terry, the LONG-LEGGED wrestler.  And we hated long-legged wrestlers!  Terry would come out onto the mat and kick our ass, and just walk off the mat, smiling."  The underclassmen remember him fondly.

He enjoyed beekeeping, fishing, hunting, skiing, riding horses and gardening (he could grow anything – he sang to all his plants).  He discouraged Shelby from gardening though, "She didn't sing pretty enough!"

Another high school memory included Tom Bohl grabbing Terry's dress that he wore for Freshman initiation, and ripped it.  When Terry realized mom's dress was torn, he wheeled around and punched Tom square in the face.  Coach Ubben put himself between them and said, "What's going on?"  Terry replied, "Tom Bohl."  Ubben quickly escorted Tom to the principal's office, where he was quickly expelled.  Terry had successfully defended his honor.

Terry was a member of the Church of God in Phillipsburg, Kansas, and was baptized in 2005 along with his wife, Donna.

Terry had high expectations of his girls and they made him very proud in everything they did.  Throughout their school years, further education, marriages, and raising families, Terry loved his family more than anything in the world. He was fondly called "Papa" or "Papa Terry" by his nine grandchildren, who will miss him greatly.  Even though he pestered his sons-in-law without boundaries, it was a sign of affection and right of passage in his trust in how they care for his daughters.

Terry will be so missed by his family, many friends, former and current co-workers.  Terry was a wonderful, kind and patient soul.  A great example to others of how to love and live your life well.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, July 5, 2021 in the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg, with Pastor Jay Brandon officiating. The services will be streamed on Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapels Facebook page . Burial will follow in the Fairview Cemetery, Phillipsburg.

Terry will lie in state from noon until 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday with the family receiving friends Sunday afternoon from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. all in the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Little Kids Softball and Baseball Program or the Phillipsburg High School Amendment.