John Estrella, Sr., 98, passed away January 28, 2023, at Hospice House, Hutchinson.  He was born March 23, 1924, in Attleboro, MA, to Cazemiro Estrella and Sarafine (Aguiar) Estrella.

John served in the United States Army during World War II from May 1944 to May 1946.  He worked on the tool assembly line at Consolidated Manufacturing for 15 years.  John then went to work at General Baking Company for 20 years making donuts.

He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and AMVETS.  John was a longtime member of St. Teresa Catholic Church, Hutchinson, KS.

On April 26, 1948, he married Katherine 'Katie' Leiker, at St. Teresa Catholic Church, Hutchinson, KS.  They shared over 72 years of marriage, prior to her death on September 20, 2020.

John is survived by:  his daughter, Kathy (Glen) Hedrich of Wichita, KS; grandchildren, Joshua (Brandy) Estrella of Hutchinson, KS, Janelle Ortiz of Topeka, KS, Tiffany (Matt) Seibel of Winter Garden, FL, Todd (Sarah) Howard of Overland Park, KS, Kristin Hedrich of Oxford, NE, and Andrew (Kalene) Hedrich of Virginia Beach, VA; eight great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter.

He was preceded in death by:  his parents; wife; daughters, Barbara Ann Estrella and Rose Marie Howard; son, John Estrella, Jr.; grandson, Elliott Dean Hedrich; one brother; and four sisters.

Parish Rosary will be 9:30 a.m. Friday, February 3, 2023, followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m., at St. Teresa Catholic Church, 211 E. 5th Avenue, Hutchinson, KS.  Both services will be officiated by Father Matt Glazier.  Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery, Hutchinson, KS.  Military honors will be conducted by the Fort Riley Honor Guard.  Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, February 2, 2023, at Elliott Mortuary.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to St. Teresa Catholic Church, in care of Elliott Mortuary and Crematory, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.