Obituaries

Feb 28, 2020

Mike Messmer, 76, of Hutchinson, died February 28, 2020, at Hospice House, Hutchinson. He was born November 27, 1943, in Anthony, to Claire Eugene and Sara Joyce (Johnston) Messmer.

Mike was a 1961 graduate of Norwich High School and served in the United States Navy. He was employed as a machinist at Cessna and Eaton Corporation, both...

Feb 28, 2020

Jeannette 'Janet' Carol Fail passed away peacefully on February 28, 2020, at Sterling Village, Sterling, KS, from natural causes, at the age of 97.  She was born July 23, 1922, in Cloud County, KS, to Homer and Bertha (Detrixhe) LeClair.

Janet was a 1936 graduate of Concordia High School and Salt City Business College, Hutchinson.  She worked...

Feb 25, 2020

Dean Edward Bastion, 74, of Hutchinson, died February 25, 2020, at his home.  He was born September 8, 1945, in Oakland, CA, to Lawrence Edward and Maxine Lola (Jones) Bastion.

He married Terress Jackson in 1992.  Dean served in the United States Marine Corps and retired as a police officer.

He is survived by:  wife,...

Feb 24, 2020

William R. 'Bill' Ford, 55, died February 24, 2020, at Research Medical Center, Kansas City, MO.  He was born September 23, 1964, in Santa Barbara, CA, the youngest son of Leo Arthur and Dorothy O. (Reeves) Ford.

Bill graduated from Pretty Prairie High School in 1983. He worked at Concrete Plus for almost 12 years. Bill enjoyed...

Feb 23, 2020

Jeanne L. Shanline, 91, died February 23, 2020.  She was born April 22, 1928, in Kansas City, MO, to James and Elsie M. (Hudson) Laswell.

Jeanne graduated from Turon High School and attended Grace Hospital School of Nursing.  She was a homemaker,  a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, and the DUO Sunday School class.

...

Feb 20, 2020

Vivian L. Beeghly, 91, died February 20, 2020, at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center.  She was born February 7, 1929, in Humboldt, NE, to Roy L. and Lola (Schmidt) Smith.

Vivian was a graduate of Humboldt High School, Humboldt, NE.  She was a homemaker, bookkeeper, and member of Trinity United Methodist Church, Hutchinson.

On February 12,...

Feb 16, 2020

Betty Jo Hunt, 87, passed away on February 16, 2020, at Wesley Towers, Hutchinson. The oldest daughter of Emily (Griffee) and Ralston Taylor, she was born on December 18, 1932, in Sterling.

She was raised on a farm outside of Lyons and graduated from Lyons High School. In 1954, Betty married Don Hunt and the couple moved...

Feb 16, 2020

Emery D. 'Bud' Kittle, 83, of Sterling, died Sunday, February 16, 2020.  He was born April 24, 1936, in Hutchinson, to Emery Rueben and Florence Elizabeth (Cook) Kittle.

Bud graduated from Reno County High School in 1954 and Hutchinson Community College in 1961.  He served in the United States Air Force from 1955 to 1959.  He attended...

Feb 16, 2020

Alfred 'Al' Joseph Werth, 88, of Hutchinson, died February 16, 2020, at Pleasant Hills, Hutchinson. He was born December 13, 1931, in Ness City, to Theodore and Adelaide (Leiker) Werth.

Alfred was a 1949 graduate of Ness City High School and served in the United States Air Force for four years. He retired from Dillon Companies Inc....

Feb 14, 2020

Alvin Yuell 'Al' Buck, 81, of Hutchinson, died February 14, 2020, at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center.  He was born May 23, 1938, in Hutchinson, the son of Albert and Oleta (Hamblin) Buck.

Al graduated from Partridge High School and Emporia State University. He served in the Air National Guard.  Al was former owner of AB Roofing and...

Feb 13, 2020

Thomas Wesley Klassen, 78, of Hutchinson, died February 13, 2020, at his home.  He was born March 24, 1941, in Abilene, to Peter and Frances (Gadberry) Klassen.

On May 19, 1962, he married Teresa Savage in Lyons.  They shared over 57 years of marriage prior to his death.

Thomas is survived by:  his wife, Teresa...

Feb 13, 2020

Ray Vernon Brian, of Hutchinson, passed away February 13, 2020, at his home. He was born August 1, 1931, in Oakley, Kansas, to Roy and Thela Brian.

Ray was a graduate of Fort Hays State University, where he majored in business and played football for the Fort Hays Tigers. Prior to college he served in the United...

Feb 13, 2020

Bobby Lee Depew, age 53, passed away peacefully at his home in Mobile, AL surrounded by his family on February 13, 2020. He was born on November 5, 1966 to Bill and Katie Mae (Helmuth) Depew in Hutchinson, KS.

On August 27, 1988 he married Polly Bender. They made their home in KS. He worked at Mennonite...

Feb 12, 2020

Raymond Wagler, 83, of South Hutchinson, died February 12, 2020. He was born December 23, 1936, to John Rufus and Esther Evangeline (Krenzin) Wagler.

Raymond graduated from Abbyville High School in 1951 and auctioneer school. He served in the Army National Guard, enjoyed farming, ranching, and buying cattle. Raymond was of the Mennonite faith.

On...

Feb 11, 2020

Nicole 'Nicki' Diane Hiebert, 45, of Hutchinson, died February 11, 2020, at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center. She was born March 14, 1974, in Hutchinson, to Dwain and Janice (Hedger) Hiebert.

Nicole was a graduate of the Hutchinson High School Special Education program and graduated in 1995. She was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church,...

Feb 10, 2020

Hazel Whomans, 96, of Hutchinson, died February 10, 2020, at Good Samaritan Society, Hutchinson Village. She was born June 15, 1923, in Kingman, to Glenn William and Mary Elizabeth (Nowlan) Richardson.

Hazel was a 1941 graduate of Kingman High School and 1967 graduate of Tech School of Nursing. John and Hazel lived in Kingman, KS, from 1943...

Feb 10, 2020

Steven Robert Hawkins, 59, entered his heavenly home February 10, 2020.  He was born October 9, 1960, in Hutchinson, to James M. Hawkins and Alice Marie (Allison) Hawkins.

Steven graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1979.  He was an optician with Singleton-Joyce Optical for 34 years.  After it closed, Steven joined Grene Vision Optical Service. He was...

Feb 9, 2020

Patrick James 'Jim' O'Connell, 74, of Hutchinson, died February 9, 2020, at Diversicare of Hutchinson.  He was born April 4, 1945, in Peoria, IL, the son of Larry and Mary (Mooney) O'Connell.

After attending school in Chanute, Jim graduated from Topeka Hayden High School in 1963. In 1967, Jim graduated from the University of Kansas with a...

Feb 8, 2020

Edward F. 'Ed' Doherty, 98, of Hutchinson, died February 8, 2020, at Hester Care Center, Hutchinson. He was born October 31, 1921, in Ashland, Wisconsin, the son of The Reverend E. S. Doherty and Elizabeth Anne (Skuce) Doherty.

Ed attended Haviland High School for three years, graduating from Bucklin High School in 1939. He was granted a...

Feb 7, 2020

Greg Ruby, 78, of Hutchinson, died February 7, 2020, at his home. He was born January 24, 1942, in Great Bend to Everett and Opal (Epley) Ruby.

Greg attended Hutchinson public schools growing up. He worked for Service Master and Taco Bell for many years.

Greg is survived by: sisters, Patricia Sands and Kay Bergen,...