Stephen A. "Steve" Ambler, 85, of Hutchinson died June 29, 2010 at Promise Regional Medical Center in Hutchinson. He was born November 22, 1924 at Marion, the son of Stephen A. & Maggie May Ambler. He was raised at Miltonvale, where he graduated from Miltonvale High School.

He entered the U.S. Navy and served during WW II. After the war, he attended and graduated from Bethany College with a dual degree in Music Education & Applied Music. He taught school for one year at Canton High School before being recalled by the U.S. Navy to serve in the Korean War. He later taught both vocal & instrumental music in public schools in Montezuma, Belle Plaine, and Independence, Kansas. He retired after 23 years at Hutchinson having taught instrumental music in elementary & Sherman Middle School. He received a masters degree in Music Education from the University of Colorado in 1956. Steve was inducted into Phi Beta Mu fraternity in 1974.

Mr. Ambler was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church and was active on many committees in the church; he was active with the Reno Co. Choral Society and sang with the Salt Minors, a barbershop group; he played in the Hutchinson Municipal Band, the Hutchinson Symphony, and had served as president of the Community Concert Assn. He was a former member and president of Carey Park Men's Golf Assn., and a member of several retired teachers organizations. He was a recipient of the National Federated Music Club's- Kansas Composer of The Year in 1987.

He married Vada L. Ely on July 30, 1948 at Fry Chapel at Little River. She survives.
Other survivors include 2 sons Douglas Ambler and wife Judy, Olathe, and Kent Ambler, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; a daughter Janis South and husband James, Weatherford, Oklahoma; 7 grandchildren Jason Lilley, Casey Lilley, Tara Berland, Tim Ambler, Eric Ambler, Misti Edwards, and Tressa Kent; and 7 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister Helen Ambler.

Cremation has taken place.
Memorial service will be 2:00 p.m., Friday, July 2 at Trinity United Methodist Church, with Rev. Pat Ault-Duell presiding. Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church or Good Samaritan Fund at Wesley Towers. Friends may visit www.elliottmortuary.com to leave a condolence for the family.