Gerald Bruce Wickliffe, 81, of Hutchinson, died Dec. 8, 2016, at Graber House, South Hutchinson. He was born April 28, 1935, in Hutchinson, to Paul Gerald and Dorothy Mae (Coleman) Wickliffe.

He graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1953, and later from Hutchinson Community College. Gerald was enlisted in the United States Army from June 1957 through March 1960. He served as a firefighter for the Hutchinson Fire Department for 30 years and retired in 1993 with the rank of captain. Gerald was also a longtime employee of Terry Messing Realtors. He was a United States Army veteran.

On Jan. 14, 1961, Gerald married Elsie Christine Gomez in Wichita. She survives. Other survivors include: children, Kevin Wickliffe and wife Lori of Lawrence, Joy Wickliffe Root of Olathe, and Mia Padgett and husband Sherman of Wichita; grandchildren, Lauren McGreevy, Sean Wickliffe, Anthony Padgett, Sophia Padgett, Aidan Root; great-granddaughter, Ella Zoe McGreevy; sisters, Doris Bernard, Carol Holmes, Elaine Wickliffe, Iris Walker and husband Phillip; brothers, Richard Wickliffe and wife Maxine, Wayne, James, Kenneth and Vernon Wickliffe. He was preceded in death by: his parents and brothers, Irl, Morris, Leroy and John Wickliffe.

Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15, 2016, at Elliott Mortuary Chapel, Hutchinson, with the Reverend William J. Green and Pastor Tonya Ramer Wenger presiding. Burial will follow in Fairlawn Burial Park, Hutchinson. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. with the family to receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and from 9 a.m. until service time Thursday at Elliott Mortuary.

Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer's Association or NAACP Hutchinson Chapter, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.