Mr. McDermott was born Aug. 8, 1928, in St. Patrick, Mo., the son of Patrick Ignatious McDermott and Hazel Mary (Ellison) McDermott. He was a Chief Warrant Officer II in the U.S. Army, retiring after 21 years. He owned a TV and appliance repair store in Herrington. He then worked as an engineering consultant for Vacublast in Abilene.

He married Betty Gary Booth on Feb. 28, 1996, in Reno, Nev. He was a member of the Eagles, Salina Sams and IOOF. He enjoyed camping, fishing and RV travel.

He was preceded in death by his parents and second wife, Winona "Onie" Morgan McDermott.

Survivors include a son, Michael McDermott of Salina; two stepsons, Michael Leroy Booth of Indianapolis and Charles Edwin Booth of Phoenix; a daughter, Sandra Farrell of Salina; a stepdaughter, Tammy Lee Berniece Widseth of Great Falls, Mont.; a sister, Anna Lenore Johnson of Canton, Mo.; 15 grandchildren, Dane and Taytum Widseth, Amber Booth, Christina Hageman, Cindy Deese, Michael Booth, Brianna, Nathan and Christian Maerz, John, Phillip and Tom Farrell, Rod and Ryan McDermott and Philip Unruh; and five great-grandchildren, Megan, Julie, Josh and Hailey Farrell and Hanne McDermott.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Ryan Mortuary, 137 N. Eighth, Salina 67401, with the Rev. Loren Houltberg officiating. Burial will be in Fort Riley Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the mortuary.