Obituaries

Nov 19, 2020

Ruby Arlene Parks, 92, of South Hutchinson, went to be with her heavenly Father on November 19, 2020.  She was born May 30, 1928, in Hutchinson, to Leroy Walter and Viola Mae (Clune) Newburn.

On September 25, 1948, Ruby married Stanley Earl Parks, in Hutchinson.  They shared over 54 years of marriage, prior to his death on...

Nov 18, 2020

Johnny Dean Holmes, 82, of Haven, died November 18, 2020, at Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center. He was born September 22, 1938, in Bostol Pool, Oklahoma, to Dallas Holmes and Doris (Presnell) Braswell.

After high school John joined the United States Army, serving for three years. He was a business owner for JP Sales. John loved...

Nov 17, 2020

Ralph Cecil Thode, 90, of Lawton, OK, formerly of South Hutchinson, died November 17, 2020, at The Brentwood Senior Living, Lawton, OK.  He was born March 27, 1930, in rural Plevna, to Albert Daniel and Thelma Elnora (Drake) Thode.

Ralph was a 1948 graduate of Plevna High School, Plevna, and 1966 graduate of Sterling College, Sterling.  He...

Nov 16, 2020

Dorothy Lorraine Biery, 86, of Hutchinson, died November 16, 2020, at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center. She was born January 14, 1934, in Pittsburgh, PA, to George and Pearl (Sprat) Reder.

A resident of Hutchinson since 1973, Dorothy had her own catering business, 'Cakes by Dorothy', for many years and loved cooking and baking. She also worked at...

Nov 16, 2020

Eugene 'Gene' Allen Heldenbrand, 92, passed away November 16, 2020, at Pleasant Hills Assisted Living.  He was born October 14, 1928, in Oxford, KS, the son of John and Edith (Underwood) Heldenbrand.

Gene graduated from Langdon High School in 1946, and married Glenis Banks, his high school sweetheart, on October 12, 1946.  They shared 68 years of...

Nov 16, 2020

Orpha Yoder, 78, died Monday, November 16, 2020, at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center. She was born January 10, 1942, in Nowata, OK, to William and Clara (Yoder) Miller.

Orpha owned a fabric store in her home, baked wedding cakes, and owned a diet center in Hutchinson.  She was a member of Plainview Mennonite Church, Hutchinson.

...

Nov 15, 2020

Bill Hildebrandt, 69, passed away November 15, 2020, at the University of Kansas Medical Center.  He was born November 12, 1951, in Hutchinson, to Dave and Jane Hildebrandt.

Bill worked as a carpenter at the Kansas State Fair for 43 years.  He was a Vietnam veteran.

Bill is survived by:  his wife of 44 years,...

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...