Hunter Dennis Lile

Hunter Dennis Lile was born December 13, 1997 in Wellington to Cynthia Conrady and Dennis Lile.  He entered his heavenly home on March 29, 2016 at the age of 18 years, 3 months and 16 days in Hays.

Hunter started life early, arriving five weeks ahead of schedule at 5 pounds 4 ounces and from that moment on he lived life at an accelerated pace.  Hunter loved to learn and his thirst for knowledge was unquenchable.   From the day he was brought home from the hospital his Mom read to him as she rocked him at night.

This turned into bedtime stories for a toddler to fall asleep to.  Then he began reading for himself before starting kindergarten soon becoming an avid reader like his Dad.  His love of books and words opened his world, not only to stories but to information on countless subjects.  Hunter had endless questions, the more he learned the more questions he found needing answers.Along with reading countless books on every subject Hunter “did math for fun”, yes seriously.  Filling many a notebook with numbers, formulas, equations and other things his Mother couldn’t decipher.  He enjoyed science fiction books, movies and TV programs.  His favorite past time was video gaming with friends or alone. He also had strong interest in computers, coding, and technology.

Hunter’s across the yard “brother, Nathaniel and sisters, Shiloh & MacKenzie” will always remember summers at the pool, playing with water balloons, the sprinkler, and endless hours on the trampoline growing up; all the things he would later on teach Cameron. Also, he always enjoyed his quiet conversations with Matt. No one will ever forget his articulate way of speaking his thoughts, big words many of us didn’t understand.

During his time at Caldwell schools he was active in National Honor Society, Bigs, Math Relays and Scholars Bowl meets where he excelled winning several medals.  He was part of the gifted program at school which is where he first learned of the Kansas Academy of Mathematics and Science, immediately asking to attend, he sent an application and was accepted into the program.

At the beginning of his Junior year, 16 yr old Hunter moved to Custer Hall on the Fort Hays State University  campus.  During his attendance in the program he not only gained knowledge but forged great friendships.  He was a member of the Sixth KAMS Class of 2016 as well as the CHS Class of 2016. Hunter grew into an incredible young man with an infectious smile.

“In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count.

It’s the life in your years.”

-Abraham Lincoln

Hunter was preceded in death by his father, Dennis Lile, Grandparents Lawrence and Colleen Conrady and Woodrow and Anna Lile, Godfather Zeke Zulkoski, uncles Jerry Alexander and Don Warner, cousins Francine Warner and Ainsley Norris

Survivors include Mother Cynthia Conrady, aunts and uncles; Godmother Chris and Monty Fitch, Cheri Warner, Kathy Norris, Mike and Annette Conrady, Greg and Annette Conrady, brothers; Jason Lile and Nathaniel Zulkoski, sisters; Shiloh Rosenberg & MacKenzie Givens Cousins; Michelle and Bob Roth, Holly & Clyde Perkins, Brian & Liz Norris, Stacy Tucker, Christopher & Brenna Conrady, Kelly & Jenni Conrady, Barry Rosenberg, Matt, Jake, Robert, & Sanders Roth, Josh & Keela DeLain, Daniel & Callie DeLain, Brody & Max Perkins, Braden, Olivia, & Colby Norris, Grant & Braxton Conrady, Zander & Norah Conrady, Cameron & Mia Rosenberg, Gideon & Sariah Givens, Kyler, Kohlter and Riley DeLain and many, more family and friends.

Funeral services were held 2 p.m. Friday, April 1, 2016 at the Caldwell Community Building 119 E. First in Caldwell.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be given in memory of Hunter to the Caldwell Public Library or to the Hunter Lile Scholarship Fund and left with the mortuary.

To share a memory or leave a condolence please visit www.schaeffermortuary.info

Arrangements by Schaeffer Mortuary, 6 N. Main, Caldwell, Kansas.

———

The following is a poem written as a tribute to Hunter Lile

Oh, my friend . . .

Your soul was tired,
Your body was weary,
You were numb from the inside out.
Your emotions – given away.
Your love went to the one who needed to be loved
Your hope went to the one who felt hopeless
Your kindness went to all you met.
But when those were gone, you left none to yourself.
And all that was left was pain.

Oh, my friend . . .
Now the pain is gone
Now you have been revived
Your body no longer tied down in disarray.
For we have taken on your grief, so
That you may live again – pain free.

Oh, my friend . . .
Although you are gone in body,
You live within us in spirit.
You taught us how to love
You gave us overwhelming hope to share
And you gave us kindness to give to those like you.
So that we may never forget
To see those who have given so much,
Yet saved none for themselves

Oh, my friend . . .
-Cassie Olender
2016 KAMS Senior