Obituaries

Nov 15, 2020

Victor Carson Wood, Jr., 78, died November 15, 2020, at his home.  He was born September 13, 1942, in Oklahoma City, OK, to Victor Carson and Mary Belle (Tibbits) Wood, Sr.

Victor was a graduate of Guthrie High School, Guthrie, OK, Oklahoma State University, and the University of Oklahoma Law School.  He served in the United States...

Nov 15, 2020

Donald Eugene Smith, 82, of Hutchinson, died November 15, 2020, at his home.  He was born June 6, 1938, in Hutchinson, to Willard Louis and Pauline Gondolia (Young) Smith.

Donald worked as a custodian at Prairie Hills Middle School, Hutchinson, and Hutchinson Community College.  He served in the United States Army and the United States Navy.  Donald...

Nov 14, 2020

Ralph G. Bowen, a longtime Hutchinson resident who never met a stranger, took his last breath on earth, and first in Heaven, on November 14, 2020. Ralph, son of Lewis G. and Minnie E. (Burget) Bowen, was born and raised in Burlington, Kansas.

He lived an adventurous childhood with his twin brother, Roger, older brother, Don, and...

Nov 14, 2020

Robert Dean 'Rob' Newton, 58, of Hutchinson, died November 14, 2020, at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center due to complications from Covid-19. He was born September 12, 1962, in Hutchinson, to Clyde and Berta Lea (Dean) Newton.

Rob graduated from Hutchinson High School and then served in the United States Army for eight years. He was a hero...

Nov 14, 2020

Harlan R. Wilkens, 90, of Hutchinson, died November 14, 2020, at Hospice House. He was born February 2, 1930, in Ellsworth to August and Rosa (Janzen) Wilkens.

Harlan graduated from Lorraine High School in 1948. He spent two years at Kansas Wesleyan University before serving in the United States Air Force from 1950 to 1954, during the...

Nov 13, 2020

Kenneth Lee Ross, 73, died Friday, November 13, 2020. He was born June 27, 1947, in Little River, to Harry L. and Ruth  F. (Cory) Ross.

He was a 1965 graduate of Little River High School. Kenneth was a member of First Southern Baptist Church and Partridge Gun Club.

He retired in June 2010, from...

Nov 13, 2020

Rhonda S. Crank, 66, died November 13, 2020.  She was born October 21, 1954, in Hutchinson, to Earl William and Delores Jane (Pauls) Crank.

Rhonda attended Nickerson High School.  She worked at various places, with the last being Jackson Ice Cream, Hutchinson.

Rhonda is survived by:  sister, Debbie (Bruce) Hoskinson; brothers, Mike Crank, and Rich...

Nov 13, 2020

Efren Garcia, 79, died November 13, 2020.  He was born November 5, 1941, in Los Angeles-Poanas Durango, Mexico, to Gilberto Garcia and Dolores Santillan de Garcia.

Efren worked construction most of his life, retiring from APAC Shears in 2007.  He was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, South Hutchinson.

Efren and Brenda...

Nov 12, 2020

Daniel James 'Dan' Stoecklein, 57, of Hutchinson, died November 12, 2020, at Hospice House. He was born on March 12, 1963, in Hutchinson, to Jim and Venita (Stegman) Stoecklein.

Dan graduated from Trinity Catholic High School in 1981, and Hutchinson Community College in 1983, with an Associates of Arts degree. In 1978, he began his first role...

Nov 12, 2020

Vernon Kraus, Jr., 76, died November 12, 2020, at Wesley Medical Center, Wichita.  He was born August 14, 1944, in Kingman, to Vernon Joseph and Helen Maxine (Cole) Kraus.

Vernon graduated from Pretty Prairie High School in 1962, and Fort Hays State University in 1967.  He was the Industrial Arts teacher at Pretty Prairie High School for...

Nov 12, 2020

Nation Meyer, age 98, a life-long resident of Hutchinson, died at home surrounded by family on November 12, 2020. He was born March 21, 1922, in Kansas City, MO, the son of Edward William Meyer and Eula Nation Meyer.   He was a 1939 graduate of Hutchinson High School, attended the University of Kansas until late 1942, and was a...

Nov 11, 2020

Mary Sylvina Mendoza, 88, of Hutchinson, died November 11, 2020, at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center. She was born September 12, 1932, in Hutchinson, to Sebastian F. and Sanjuana 'Sandy' (Mora) Caudillo Sr.

Mary graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1951. In addition to being a homemaker, she was co-owner and operator of Seasons Air with her husband,...

Nov 10, 2020

Danny Joe Coonce, 66, died November 10, 2020.  He was born May 25, 1954, in Manning, SC, to David William and Geraldine Cecilia (Carter) Coonce.

In 1983, Danny began working at McKenzie Body Shop, becoming the owner in 1986.  He retired in 2015, after working there for 32 years. Danny currently worked as a painter for the...

Nov 10, 2020

Beverly Jeanene Branscom, 88, passed away November 10, 2020, at Hospice House, Hutchinson.  She was born September 7, 1932, at The Salvation Army Hospital in Wichita.

Beverly was a 1950 graduate of Turon High School.  During the Christmas season, Beverly helped with the gift distribution at The Salvation Army.  She delivered meals for Meals on Wheels and...

Nov 9, 2020

Don M. "Abe" Abrahams, 77, died Monday, November 9, 2020 at Hospice House, Hutchinson, Kansas.  He was born July 25, 1943 in Omaha, Nebraska to Melvin and Irma (Petracek) Abrahams.

Don spent much of his childhood in Wilbur, Nebraska (Czech Capital of Nebraska) where he was watched over by his beloved Bub (maternal grandmother) due to his...

Nov 9, 2020

Patricia Louise Parsons, 89, formerly of Haven, died November 9, 2020, at Good Samaritan Society-Hutchinson Village.  She was born October 13, 1931, in Hutchinson, to Lester and Ileon Marie (Shields) Wilson.

Patricia graduated from Hutchinson High School and worked for Doskocil.  She was a member of First Church of the Nazarene and enjoyed puzzles, walking, and working...

Nov 8, 2020

Shawn Allen Mackey, 40, of Hutchinson, died November 8, 2020, at Wesley Medical Center, Wichita. He was born November 7, 1980, in Richland, WA, to Calvin Lee and Vickie A. (Morton) Mackey.

Shawn graduated from Dodge City High School in 1999. He worked at Walmart for many years. Shawn was a very creative and talented artist who...

Nov 8, 2020

Sharon 'Sheri' Kay Showalter, 75, passed away November 8, 2020, at Hospice House, Hutchinson.  She was born December 19, 1944, in Hutchinson, to Frederick Mitchell and Edna Mae (Rizor) Jennings.

Sheri was a 1962 graduate of Hutchinson High School, and was a paraprofessional at Prairie Hills Middle School, retiring after 34 years of service.  She enjoyed crafting,...

Nov 7, 2020

Ronald T. Bredfeldt, 91, retired mechanical engineer, died November 7, 2020, in Wichita, KS. He was born November 9, 1928, in Bushton, Kansas, the son of Clement S. and Rachel (Brening) Bredfeldt.

Ron was a graduate of Hutchinson High School, Hutchinson Junior College and served in the United States Army.

He is survived by: daughters,...

Nov 7, 2020

Cecil 'Kelly' C. Kelly, went to his heavenly home with his family by his side on November 7, 2020.  He was born in Frederick, KS, on May 17, 1930, to Cecil W. and Violet Kelly.

Kelly had driven trucks over-the-road since 1947, and was a lifetime motorcycle enthusiast.  On June 14, 1957, he married Jacquelyn J. Lyon. ...