John Dean Armstrong, of Hutchinson, born August 10, 1917, and died September 8, 1941, will be returning to Hutchinson, Kansas, for burial after having been missing for 75 years. His remains will return from the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Honolulu, Hawaii, in June 2017 with full military honors.

John Dean was the son of Guy and Margaret Armstrong and the brother of Isabelle Armstrong (Urick-Evans) and Ruth Armstrong (Stahl), all formerly of Hutchinson.

He is survived by his nieces and nephews: Andrea Evans of Topeka, KS, Lynn Evans of Round Rock, TX, Dan Evans of Overland Park, KS, Richard Evans of Austin, TX, Gail Evans Sheppard of Pittsburg, KS, Karen Stahl Beauprie of Key West , FL, Sona Stahl Knox of McKinney, TX, and Jake Stahl of New Orleans, LA.

The family suggests any memorial donations to the Wounded Warrior Project, in care of Elliott Mortuary.

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An article with the story of his repatriation to his home state after 75 years appeared in the Monday, May 29, 2017, edition of the Hutchinson News. Click here to view that article.

To access additional stories and videos of John Dean Armstrong's return home, please follow the links below:

KWCH 7/8/17: "Remains of WWII pilot return home after 75 years"

The Wichita Eagle 7/12/17: "They lost their uncle in WWII. Now the pilot's remains are coming home."

KWCH 7/15/17: Reporter Scott Evans shares live Facebook video at Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport

KWCH 7/15/17: "Remains of Kansas man killed in WWII returned home 76 years later"

The Hutchinson News 7/15/17: "A long way home" (photo album & captions)

The Hutchinson News 7/15/17: "Lt. John Dean Armstrong returns to Kansas for Burial" (Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport video compilation)

The Hutchinson News 7/17/17: "Lt. John Dean Armstrong Arrives at his Final Resting Place" (graveside service video compilation)