John Robbins Rimmer, retired Chairman of Hutchinson Bag Company, 93, died on Jan. 29, 2011, at Hospice House, Hutchinson.

John was born Feb. 2, 1917, in Camden, Mississippi, the eldest son of John Shelby and Nellie Robbins Rimmer.

John was a graduate of Millsaps College of Jackson, Mississippi. After college he remained in Jackson for two years working for the city engineering department. His love for flying led him to join the United States Army Air Corp reporting for active duty on Jan. 1, 1941. World War II introduced John to Ellen, his first wife, and to Kansas. John met Ellen Boyer while stationed at Albany, Georgia; they married in 1944. After the ceremony John's next post was an airfield in Great Bend, Ks. Unable to find housing there, they lived in Larned. After the war, a friendship John had established with a neighbor in Larned, whose father owned a flour mill in Buhler, led to John being offered a job with a textile bag manufacturer in Kansas City, Percy Kent Bag Company. After completion of training in Kansas City, for his new sales position, John was advised he should live in his territory in Kansas and was offered the choice of Wichita or Hutchinson. John chose Hutchinson because the town was smaller and the people seemed to be friendlier, moving in 1947. In 1949 he was approached by a local competitor, Hutchinson Bag Company (now known as HUBCO), to work for them. They offered him the opportunity to purchase stock in the firm, an option not possible at Percy Kent. Over the years John rose from salesman to Chairman of the Board. John retired in 2005 after 56 years of service.

After the death of Ellen in 1999, John found the love of a wonderful woman again marrying Bethe in 2001.
John was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Ellen Boyer Rimmer; his brother, James Cooper Rimmer and his son-in-law, Densmore Shute Hart. He is survived by his current wife, Bethene (Bethe) Stewart Rimmer of the home. Other survivors include: a son, John Jr., Wichita; two daughters, Ann McPherson (John), Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., and Janie Hart, Hutchinson; three grandchildren, Melissa Gott (David), Bristow, Va., Trey McPherson (Anne), Hutchinson and Shelby Anne Hart, Hutchinson; and four great-grandchildren. John is also survived by his wife's daughter, Jane Harrison (Mike), Nickerson, and their children and grandchildren.

Memorial service will be at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 3, 2011, at the First Presbyterian Church, with Reverend Amy Dame officiating. There will be at private family graveside, prior to the service. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday at the Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to the HCC Foundation, in care of the mortuary.

Visit www.elliottmortuary.com to leave a remembrance or condolence for John's family.