Allen "Gene" Schwartz, 87, died April 4, 2014, at Graber House at Mennonite Friendship Comm-unities. He was born May 9, 1926, in Pretty Prairie, to Peter J. and Louisa "Lucy" (Graber) Schwartz. Gene graduated from Pretty Prairie High School in 1944. He was a route salesman and worked for Bunte Welding that became Wichita Welding. Gene was a retired rodeo cowboy and was a calf roper and header for the team. He enjoyed hunting and fishing.

On February 12, 1948, he married June Kasselman in Pretty Prairie. June survives.

Other survivors include: daughters, Cynthia Johnston and husband Michael of Wichita, and Jill Sharkey and fiancé Jack Cunetto of Ballwin, MO; granddaughters, Alison Sharkey, and Caitlin Sharkey of Columbia, MO, Regan Johnston of Tempe, AZ, and Erin Johnston of Lawrence; brother, Ken Schwartz and wife Deloris of Pretty Prairie; and sisters, Valeta Vogt of Pretty Prairie, and Shirley Bay and husband Leon of Salina.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Verna Schwartz Graber, and son-in-law, Curtis Sharkey.

Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 10, 2014, at the First Mennonite Church, Pretty Prairie, with Pastor David Denlinger officiating. Friends may call from 1 to 9 p.m. Tuesday and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday with the family to receive friends from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Elliot Mortuary, Hutchinson. Burial will be in the First Mennonite Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Mennonite Church, or to Harden Hospice, both in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 North Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.