Arthur William Mezger "Art" passed peacefully from this life on Friday, July 10, 2009, at Mother's and Others Home Care, where he had resided for the past two months. He was born August 27, 1917, in Raymond, Kansas, to C.F. and Freda Hauer Mezger, the fourth of seven children. Art attended schools in and around Raymond, Kansas, and graduated from Raymond High School. He later attended Salt City Business College in Hutchinson.

Art was drafted into the Army in 1941, and served in the South Pacific with the 41st Division Field Artillery during World War II. He was discharged in 1945, as a T-4 sergeant. A resident of Hutchinson since 1950, he worked for Gas Service Company for 22 years, retiring in 1980. After his retirement, he continued his lifelong love of woodworking as a master craftsman. He and his wife also traveled extensively.

He was a member of Crossroads Christian Church, the Serendipity Good Sam Camping Club, American Legion Lysle Rishel Post No. 68 and the Gas Company Retired Employees.

On November 6, 1944, he married Cleo Mae Cox in Raymond, Kansas. He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, his parents, two brothers and a sister.

He is survived by: two daughters, Sharon Barton (Larry) of Mesquite, Texas, Shirley Lanham (Steve) of Wichita; five granddaughters, Shann Davis, Heath, Texas, Leslie Kuecker, Woodway, Texas, Valerie Stewart, Peck, Ks, Tracy Boswell, Kingman, Ks, and Melody Williams, Haysville, Ks; two great-grandsons; six great-granddaughters; brothers, Carl Mezger, Leawood, Ks, Harold Mezger, Lawrence, Ks; and a sister, Minnie (Mezger) Gaston of Loveland, Colo.

Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Elliott Mortuary Chapel, Hutchinson, with Pastor Wayne Pittman presiding. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, with family to receive friends from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Elliott Chapel, Hutchinson. Burial will be in Fairlawn Burial Park with military graveside honors conducted by Fort Riley Honor Guard. Memorials may be sent to Mother's and Others Home Care, 234 South Anna, Wichita, Ks 67209, Good Shepherd Hospice, 439 North McLean Boulevard, Suite 100, Wichita, Ks 67204, or Crossroads Christian Church, 4310 North Monroe, Hutchinson, Ks, 67502, all in care of Elliott Mortuary. Please visit www.elliottmortuary.com to leave a personal message for the family.