Elmer Gibson passed away July 31, 2013. He was born on April 25, 1927, in Lee's Summit, Mo.

He was an area dance teacher in Missouri and Kansas for 63 years and worked at Eaton (then known as Cessna) in Hutchinson for 28 years. He graduated from Lee's Summit High School in 1946 and studied professional dance at Kansas City Conservatory, Pagano Dance Academy at Kansas City, and several other places and completed 10 years of study. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church and had been a Methodist for 65 years. Elmer joined the Army during the Korean Conflict for two years.

On July 25, 1953, he married Lillian Faye Frye, who was from Nickerson. She died Sept. 10, 1994. Survivors include: daughter, Brenda Loraine Feldman and husband Jerry of Hutchinson; five grandchildren, Jesse Sramek, and Julie Gibson, both of Shawnee, Daniel Gibson of Wichita, Jacklyn Betteridge and husband Paul of Pekin, Ill., and Jessica Schoenhofer and husband Brad of Wichita; seven great-grandchildren.

There were 12 children in Elmer's family. Ten lived through the Great Depression and two died as babies. There is a sister, Shirley Karnakami, who lives in Parkville, Mo. All the others have passed away. Elmer said he never had time for too many clubs and organizations. He loved working in the Boy Scouts. He was preceded in death by his wife; son, Steven Brent Gibson; an infant daughter; and an infant granddaughter. Elmer and family moved from Lee's Summit, Mo., to Hutchinson in 1962. They built a home from scratch with a small dance studio and taught many children. Later, he specialized in ballroom and show dancing. He taught dance at JUCO for six years and was a choreographer for musicals at Hutchinson High School for 12 years. He had 40,000 students, including many adults, enrolled in dance classes and private lessons throughout the years. He taught dance and yoga classes for the Hutchinson Recreation Center for 30 years and was born with a love for dance, music and water sports.

Cremation has taken place. Memorial graveside service will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2013, at Penwell-Gabel Cemetery and Mausoleum, Hutchinson, with Pastor Jeanine I. Rishel officiating. Friends may sign the book from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Tuesday at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson. Memorials may be made to Boys and Girls Club of Hutchinson or Wounded Warriors, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.