HAVEN – Joan Margaret (Halfmann) DiNitto, 82, beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and friend passed away on Dec. 12, 2014, at Hospice House, Hutchinson, after a long struggle with Vascular Dementia. She was born to Martin and Martha (Berndsen) Halfmann on Nov. 10, 1932, at the family farm near Castleton, Kansas.

She attended elementary and high school in Castleton, Hutchinson Junior College, and Adele Hale Business College in Hutchinson. On Aug. 31, 1955, she married Joseph DiNitto of Utica, New York, in Castleton, KS. He survives.

She loved growing up on the family farm, which also served as a valuable influence in the young lives of her own family. In 1968, she and Joe built their new home just north of Haven, where she lived until her passing. In addition to making a wonderful home for her family, she worked as an executive secretary for KTVH Television and Colladay Hardware, and she was a longtime bookkeeper and teller at Farmer's State Bank of Yoder. She was active in the St. Agnes Catholic Church Altar Society, and a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church and Perpetual Adoration Chapel. She loved cooking and baking, taking care of her home, watching Kansas Jayhawk basketball, and smothering her grandchildren with love.

She is survived by: her husband of 59 years, Joseph Sr., of the home; sons, Joseph Jr., Haven, Martin (Allyson), Overland Park, and Michael, Lawrence; son-in-law, Brian Byers, Wichita; grandchildren, Ashley Buxton (Mark), Lawrence, Matthew Byers, Wichita, and Elizabeth and Christopher DiNitto, Overland Park; brother, Dale Halfmann (Patricia), Haven; and a sister, Judy Putnam (Randy), Wichita.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Martin and Martha Halfmann, daughter, Deborah Byers, brother, Martin Halfmann Jr., and sister, Mary Katherine Halfmann.

The family is grateful for the loving care provided by in-home caregivers Debbie Butler and Bonnie Butler, and by the staff and volunteers at Hospice and Home Care of Reno County.

Rosary will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2014, at Elliott Chapel, Hutchinson, led by Father Ned J. Blick. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2014, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, South Hutchinson, with Father Ned J. Blick presiding. A luncheon at Madonna Hall will follow. Burial will follow at 2:30 p.m. in St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery, Andale, Kansas. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson. Memorials may be made to Hospice House, or to Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, both in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 North Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501