Zona Myrtle Bridges, 79, of Hutchinson, died March 4, 2006, at Hutchinson Hospital.

She was born Sept. 24, 1926, in Hutchinson, the daughter of Leo Leslie and Winifred Naomi Lee Starks. A longtime Hutchinson resident, she and her husband owned and operated Trader John Used Furniture and J & H Wholesale Used Cars. She was a hostess, waitress and receptionist, working at several cafes and restaurants in Hutchinson and Cleburne, Texas.

She attended First Southern Baptist Church and was a former member of New Hope Baptist Church, Cleburne. She also belonged to the Reno County Historical Society and was a charter member and past officer of the Reno County Genealogical Society.

On Oct. 29, 1944, she married John Raymond Bridges in Lyons. He died Sept. 17, 1997.

Survivors include: a son, Johnnie Rae Bridges and his wife, Joyce, Sterling; a daughter, Shirley Jean Goertzen and her husband, Wes, Hutchinson; a brother, Robert Starks, Sterling; four granddaughters, Lisa Ann Lewis, Buhler, and Tresny Jane Janzen, Shaynee Renee Novotny and Trista Dawn Strong, all of Hutchinson; and nine great-grandchildren, Claibourne Trista Sherman, Bodhi Chance Sherman, Adisehn Elise Richardson, Emersehn Marissa Lewis, Chelsey Renee Novotny, Austyn Dakota Novotny, Mariah Abigail Janzen, Kaela Isabelle Janzen and Cole Frederick Janzen.

She was preceded in death by 10 brothers and sisters.

Funeral will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at Elliott Chapel, Hutchinson, with the Rev. Nick Rempel presiding. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday and the family will receive friends from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, both at the mortuary. Burial will be in Fairlawn Burial Park, Hutchinson.

Memorials may be sent to the Reno County Genealogical Society, in care of the mortuary.

Personal condolences may be sent to www.elliottmortuary.com.