Diers A. Leroy

Hastings resident, Leroy (Roy) Diers, age 82, passed away on Friday, January 9, 2026, at his home after a short battle with cancer. Roy’s wishes were to be cremated and have a graveside service. The service will be at St. Boniface Cemetery in Tipton, Kansas on Saturday, January 17th at 11:00 am, followed by a luncheon at the Tipton Community Center. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be given to St. Michael's Catholic Church, Hastings, Nebraska Livingston Butler Volland Funeral Home is serving the family.

Roy was born to Richard and Pearl (Ault) Diers on February 11th, 1943, at his grandmother’s home in Ionia, Kansas. He spent most of his childhood in Hunter, Kansas, and graduated from Hunter High School in 1960, before joining the Navy.

Roy joined the Active Navy Reserves in June 1960 and was assigned to the Navy Air Squadron “VP-1”. He was deployed to Alaska, Washington State, and California during his time in the military. After active duty, Roy attended Salt City Business College in Hutchinson, Kansas.

Roy worked for Western Land Roller, which later became Ingersoll-Rand Corp.

He was hired as general office help in accounting. In 1978, Roy was transferred to the Purchasing Department and later became Manager of Purchasing. He retired from Ingersoll-Rand Corp. in February 2000.

On August 3rd, 1963, Roy married Charlene Arnoldy, and in December, they moved to Hastings, Nebraska. Roy and Charlene lived in Hastings all their married life (62 years) and, after retirement, they tried to travel as much as possible, taking month-long trips to explore the United States. They belonged to St. Michael’s Catholic Church and helped at Catholic Social Service after retirement.

Roy was a hard worker and always had a second job or a project he was working on. His favorite was truck driving. He drove nights and weekends for several companies, hauling everything from blood from the meatpacking industry, mail for the post office, and tanker trucks of cooking oil. He was very proud when he received an 8-year safe driving award without an accident. Even though he had 2 jobs he always had time for family and fun including camping and boating at the lake on the weekends.

Roy never knew a stranger. He loved to talk and connect with people. He was a master at remembering people’s names and something about them that he could relate to and talk with them about. Everyone knew if they ran into Roy downtown, they would be there for a while.

Roy was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Jerry Lee, his sister Vera Mae Callihan, his son-in-law Robert Southworth, brothers-in-law Robert Callihan, John Hays, and Ron Gendre. He is survived by his wife, Charlene, daughter Paula Southworth, and grandson Dustin. His sister Carolyn Gendre, brother Gerald Diers (Marla), sister-in-law Carol Jean Hays, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.