Obituaries

Sep 19, 2025

Edwin Guy Morford, age 89, passed away peacefully on September 19, 2025. Born on February 18, 1936, in Norton, Kansas, Edwin was a devoted family man who led a life defined by hard work and a love for the open water, where he found freedom and joy gliding across the water on his jet skis.

Edwin was...

Sep 19, 2025

Delmar Ferguson, 94, passed away September 19, 2025, at his home. He was born March 25, 1931, in Liberal, Kansas, the son of Charles and Stella Ferguson. He graduated from Haviland Friends Academy in 1949. Delmar married Grace Johnson on January 18, 1951, in Wellsford, Kansas, and they were longtime Reno County residents. Delmar was the operator of the...

Sep 18, 2025

Loretta Rachel (Penner) Krehbiel was born March 30, 1930 in Goessel, Kansas to parents Albert H. Penner and Susan (Krehbiel) Loganbill Penner. She was born  only minutes after her twin sister Lorene K. (Penner) Goering. Their  siblings told the twins, their father was so pleased, he hurried home to pick up the other 5 children and take...

Sep 18, 2025

Natasha Marie Huelskamp, 29, of Delray Beach, FL, lost her hard fought 10-year battle with severe mental illness on September 18, 2025. Born October 1, 1995, in Fond-des-Blanc, Haiti, Natasha was raised by her grandmother Marie Merzeta, adopted by Tim and Angela Huelskamp of Fowler, KS, and baptized on December 5, 1997.

Natasha is survived by her...

Sep 17, 2025

Gary Wayne Carson, 77, died September 17, 2025, at his home, Hutchinson. He was born October 3, 1947, in Haviland, to Floyd Livingston and Mary Izella (Spurgeon) Carson.

Gary graduated from Mullinville High School in 1965 and attended Dodge City Community College on a basketball scholarship. He earned his masters and Ed. S (Education Specialist) from Kansas...

Sep 17, 2025

Dale L. Conkling, 80, of South Hutchinson, died September 17, 2025, surrounded by his loved ones and favorite music at Wesley Medical Center. He was born October 1, 1944, in Hutchinson, to Edward and Margaret (Belt) Conkling.

Dale graduated from Partridge Rural High School in 1962 and received his associates degree from Hutchinson Community College. He worked...

Sep 17, 2025

David Eugene Brubaker, 78, died September 17, 2025, at Hospice House in Hutchinson. He was born July 15, 1947, in Hutchinson, to Floyd John and Elizabeth (Skellenger) Brubaker.

David owned his own auto mechanic shop, "Dave's Service and Garage". He loved working on cars and helping his customers. In addition, David enjoyed fishing, hunting, woodworking, and racing...

Sep 13, 2025

William Lee "Bill" Baker, 79, of Hutchinson, died September 13, 2025, at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center. He was born September 27, 1945, in Hutchinson, to Edward W. and Vera M. (Foster) Baker.

Bill graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1963, received two bachelor degrees in History and Latin American Studies from the University of Kansas in 1967,...

Sep 13, 2025

Mary Eileen Bauer (Mooney) passed away peacefully at the age of 83 on September 13, 2025, in Dallas, Texas with her family by her side. She was born December 11, 1941, in Wichita, Kansas, the youngest of four children, to Michael J. and Margaret Mooney (Hamilton).

The first several years of her life, Mary grew up on...

Sep 13, 2025

Brenda Kretzer-Kowitz, 69, of Hutchinson died September 13, 2025, at Hospice House. She was born on December 2, 1955, in Hutchinson, to Bobbie L. Kretzer and Barbara Lee (Bell) Carithers.

Brenda graduated from Nickerson High School in 1972; and attended Hutchinson Community College. In 1998, she graduated from Friends University with a Bachelor of Business Management. Brenda...

Sep 12, 2025

Ann C. Kopfman, 72, of Hutchinson, died September 12, 2025, surrounded by her loved ones. She was born November 16, 1952, in Great Bend, Kansas, to Francis and Margaret (Kowalsky) Malone.

Ann graduated from Chase High School in 1971. She was a longtime cheerleader and was bestowed the honor of homecoming princess twice. After dating for four...

Sep 11, 2025

Richard Kenneth Menard, 78, died September 11, 2025, at his home in Hutchinson.  He was born October 16, 1946, in Hutchinson, to Kenneth Ivan and Patricia O'Neal (Krieg) Menard.

Richard graduated from Buhler High School in 1964.  After graduating, he joined the United States Army, serving from 1964 to 1970, during the Vietnam War.   Following his service,...

Sep 10, 2025

David J. Clark, 84, of South Hutchinson, died September 10, 2025, at Mennonite Friendship Communities. He was born December 26, 1940, in Oakley, KS, the son of Cecil and Thelma (Fisher) Clark.

Dave attended Plainville High School. He worked at Namee Wholesale, Consolidated Mfg., and RCAT. Dave retired as a Durham School bus driver and attendant. He...

Sep 8, 2025

Diana Jean Strawn, 81, of Hutchinson, KS, died Monday, September 8, 2025 at Pleasant View Home in Inman, KS. She was born August 10, 1944, in Hutchinson, KS, to Doyal McVey and Evelyn M. Yutzy (Whitecotton.)

On November 24, 1961, she married Donald Wayne Strawn, in Hutchinson, KS.

Diana graduated from Hutchinson High School in...

Sep 8, 2025

Darla D. Neal, 83, died September 8, 2025, at Hester Care Center, Hutchinson.  She was born January 22, 1942, in Newton, to Luther D. and Gladys M. (Hatch) McJilton.

Darla graduated from Newton High School in 1959, and the University of Kansas in 1963, with her Bachelor of Science degree.  Darla was an outstanding debater in high...

Sep 7, 2025

Barbara J. Keefer, 89, died September 7, 2025, at Hospice House, Hutchinson.  She was born July 11, 1936, in McPherson, to Delbert F. and Luella (Buehler) Wilkinson.

Barbara graduated from McPherson High School in 1954, and received her degree in nursing from Fort Scott Community College. She worked as  a registered nurse in Hutchinson before staying home...

Sep 7, 2025

Donna Harper - Dirks, 97, of Hutchinson, passed away September 7, 2025, at Wesley Towers, in Hutchinson, KS after a brief illness. She was born April 18th, 1928, in Hutchinson, KS to Earl and Clara Feese.

Donna graduated from Hutchinson High School 1945. Donna lived most of her life in Hutchinson working for Southwestern Bell Telephone and...

Sep 7, 2025

Betty L. Laney, 97, died September 7, 2025, in Hutchinson, KS.  She was born September 24, 1927, at her grandmother's house in Stafford, KS, to Fred and Lula Wright Hornbaker.

Betty's family lived in Stafford County before moving to a farm near Sylvia, KS, in 1935.  She graduated from Sylvia High School and then attended two years...

Sep 6, 2025

Kenneth Leo Wilson, a lifelong resident of Hutchinson, KS passed away after a sudden illness on September 6, 2025, in Hutchinson at the age of 85.

Born on July 19, 1940, in Hutchinson to R. Bruce Wilson and Edith Starr Wilson. Kenneth graduated from Nickerson High School in 1958. He went on to attend Hutchinson Community College...

Sep 6, 2025

William 'Bill' Steinmetz, 94, died September 6, 2025 at his home in Hutchinson. He was born March 4, 1931, in Hutchinson, to Harold and Pearl Frances (Landis) Steinmetz.

Bill graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1949. Shortly after graduation, he joined the United States Army. Bill worked as a mail carrier for many years, eventually retiring in...