John Thomas "Tom" Studebaker, 87, died May 8, 2010, at Wesley Towers Thorne Care Center, Hutchinson. He was born May 22, 1922, in Cody, Wyoming, to Claude Harmon and Ina Elliott Spaulding Studebaker. He was a 1940 graduate of Cody High School, Cody, Wyoming. He was the owner/operator of Studebaker Jewelry, Haven for nearly 17 years. and was a quality control technician for Cessna retiring in 1985.

He was a member of Haven Church of Christ, Haven Lions Club, Sojouner's, and Fore Travel RV Club. He enjoyed woodworking, was a handyman and particularly enjoyed spending hours at the church behind the scenes. During World War II he was a Lieutenat JG serving in the US Naval Air Force.


On June 11, 1945, he married Ineta Ruth Neel in San Francisco, Calif. She survives. Other survivors include: sons, Johnny, Lenexa, Dave and wife Susan, Delphos and Greg and wife Carol, Gladstone, Mo.; a daughter, Nancy Fair, Wichita; 11 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parent and two brothers.

Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 11, 2010, at Haven Church of Christ, with Lance Morrisett and Pastor Sonny Banning officiating. Visitation will be from 1 p.m to 9 p.m. today and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson. Burial will be in Laurel Cemetery, Haven. Memorials may be sent to Haven Church of Christ or Silver Maple Camp, Kingman, in care of the mortuary. Personal condolences may be sent to www.elliottmortuary.com.