Elwyn Hammerschmidt, 69, died May 11, 2011 at Clara Barton Hospital, Hoisington, Kansas. He was born November 14, 1941 at Hays, Kansas, the son of Otto and Evelyn (Windholz) Hammerschmidt. He married Evelyn Gerritzen October 22, 1982 at Great Bend, Kansas. A Hoisington resident for twenty-nine years, he was a retired truck driver for R and S Transportation. Mr. Hammerschmidt was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus, Hoisington. Survivors include his wife, Evelyn Hammerschmidt, of the home; one son, Michael Spainhoward, Ellinwood, Kansas; four daughters: Sheila Hammerschmidt, Brookville, Kansas; Lorri Patterson, Rochester, New York; Angela Oberle, Pawnee Rock, Kansas; and Alicia Westhoff, Great Bend; one sister, Rose Ann Schmidt, Wichita, Kansas; and six grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one brother, Marcian Hammerschmidt; and one grandson, Silas Patterson. Vigil service will be at 7:00 p.m., Friday, May 13, 2011 at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30a.m., Saturday, May 14, 2011 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. Father Dwight Birket will be celebrant. Friends may call from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and from 9:00 a.m. to service time Saturday at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home. Burial will be in St. John Church Cemetery, Hoisington. Memorials are requested to Clara Barton Foundation, in care of the funeral home.