Claude Sherman Heath III

1936 - 2026

Claude Sherman Heath III, age 90, passed away on Friday, July 17, 2026, at the Wichita County Health Center in Leoti, Kansas. He was born on February 12, 1936, the first child of Claude (Todd) and Mary V. Heath, also of Leoti.

Claude went to Wentworth Military Academy in Lexington, Missouri, for high school, graduating in 1954. He was then accepted at The University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana, where he participated in the marching band, graduating in 1958 with a degree in Accounting and Business Administration. Upon graduation, he also received his commission as a lieutenant in the United States Army. He served in the Kansas National Guard and was honorably discharged as a Captain.

Claude then made the decision to study law and attended Washburn University School of Law in Topeka, Kansas. He obtained a Juris Doctorate degree, and upon graduation, he joined a law firm in Garden City, Kansas, where he had a general practice. In this role, he met his wife-to-be, Betty Jean Dachant, who was working in the Treasurer’s Office at the Finney County Courthouse. They were married on February 4, 1967. Claude’s legal career then changed when he moved t o Leot i and became the Wichita County Attorney. After completing his term of office, he was then appointed as a Magi s t rat e Judge serving the citizens of Wichita, Greeley, and Scott County in that capacity. He continued in that role until retirement.

Claude is survived by his wife, Betty, his daughter Marybeth Porter, his grandchildren Nathan & Amber Porter, Bryer & Stacy Porter, and his great-grandchildren Maverick, Karsyn, Barrett and Gatlin Porter, all of Leoti. He is also survived by his brother, Robert Heath, and his wife, Sabine, from Wichita, Kansas.

A funeral mass will be held at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Leoti on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at 10:30 a.m., with Father Ben Ma r t in presid ing. Committal services will follow at the Leoti Cemetery.

A funeral vigil will be held at St. Anthony of Padua Church on Wednesday, July 22, at 7:00 PM.

Public visitation will be at the Price and Sons Funeral Home in Leoti on Tuesday, July 21, from 11:00 am until 8:00 pm and on Wednesday, July 22, from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm.

Memorials may be given to “St. Anthony’s Catholic Church” or the “Knights of Columbus, Council 2930,” in care of Price & Sons Funeral Home, PO Box 161, Leoti, Kansas, 67861.