Obituaries

Aug 10, 2018

Dixie K. Heinrich, 80, of Hutchinson, died August 10, 2018, at Diversicare of Sedgwick. She was born October 1, 1937, in Oakley, Kansas, to Harley and Margaret Irene (Eads) Fulton. Dixie graduated from Oakley High School in 1955 and cosmetology school in 1956. She was a homemaker and co-owner of the family business, Midwest Sewing Center, Wichita. Dixie enjoyed collecting...

Aug 9, 2018

Gertrude Catherine 'Gerti' Rotticci, 86, of Hutchinson, died August 9, 2018, at Brookdale Senior Living, Hutchinson. She was born January 9, 1932, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Joseph and Helen (Habiger) Keiser. Gertrude graduated from Judge Memorial High School in Salt Lake City, UT in 1950. She moved to Hutchinson on October 16, 2017, due to the Santa Rosa...

Aug 8, 2018

Daniel Seymour Welchons, 81, of Hutchinson, left August 8, 2018, to go where it is bright and happy and loving. He was born in Independence, KS, but grew up in Hutchinson. He was the son of Daniel Albert Welchons and Jane Seymour Welchons, deceased. Dan has a sister, Jane Welchons Twibell of Tucson, Arizona. Dan graduated from Hutchinson High School...

Aug 6, 2018

Larry D. Gardner, 68, died August 6, 2018. He was born July 27, 1950, in Hutchinson, the son of John B. and Leona I. (Reinke) Gardner. Larry graduated from Fairfield High School in 1968, Hutchinson Community College in 1970, and Fort Hays State University in 1972, where he majored in math. He was also on the tennis teams at...

Aug 6, 2018

Fred Alonzo Sr., 93, of Hutchinson, died August 6, 2018, at Pleasant View Home, Inman. He was born January 21, 1925, in Hutchinson, the son of Dario and Teofila (Castor) Alonzo. Fred was a member of St. Teresa Catholic Church for over 40 years, and United States Army World War II veteran, serving in several major campaigns in Europe. He...

Aug 5, 2018

Kenneth Dean 'Ken' Mendenhall, 92, formerly of Hutchinson, died August 5, 2018, at St. Mary's Hospital, Grand Junction, Colorado. Ken was born January 4, 1926, on his family farm near Paola, KS, where he grew up, to June and Lois Irene (Stephens) Mendenhall. Ken graduated from Paola High School in 1944. After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army...

Aug 4, 2018

Jason C. Pennington, 38, of South Hutchinson, passed away suddenly on August 4, 2018, at his home. He was born April 12, 1980. Jason married his one true love, Holly (O'Hara) Pennington on September 14, 2000. On March 28, 2012, they celebrated the birth of their twin daughters, Joley and Jordyn. He is also survived by: his father; two sisters;...

Aug 4, 2018

Steven A. Stofer, 71, died August 4, 2018, in Burlington, KS. He was born April 29, 1947, in Hutchinson, the son of Norman and Idanel (Williams) Stofer. Steve was a 1965 graduate of Buhler High School and attended Hutchinson Community College. He worked for the Alaska Fish & Game Department and was a wine salesman for AB Sales of Wichita....

Aug 4, 2018

Jimmie E. 'Jim' Sorensen, 57, died August 4, 2018, after a courageous five-year battle with brain cancer. He was born June 26, 1961, in Hutchinson, the son of Jimmie Harold and Evarean 'Eve' (McGee) Sorensen. He was a 1979 graduate of Buhler High School and 1981 graduate of Hutchinson Community College. Jim was a Westminster Township board member and belonged...

Aug 2, 2018

Leonard E. 'Len' Railsback, 91, of Hutchinson, died Thursday, August 2, 2018, at his home. He was born April 16, 1927, in Lewis, Iowa, to Earnest Arthur and Mabel Marie (Bickett) Railsback. Leonard graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1944, went to work for the Hutchinson News and then entered the United States Army, where he served in the European...

Aug 1, 2018

Chester William 'Bud' Marker, 82, of Hutchinson, died August 1, 2018, at Brookdale Senior Living, Hutchinson. He was born, February 12, 1936, in Scott City, to John and Elva (Harper) Marker. He attended Scott City High School. Chester was a true cowboy, loving his horses and a huge fan of old time country music and western movies. He proudly served...

Jul 30, 2018

Glen R. Ruta, 55, of Hutchinson, died July 30, 2018, at his home from natural causes. He was born April 16, 1963, in Fulton, NY, to Adolf and Emma Jean (Warner) Ruta. Glen graduated from high school in Fulton and attended Auburn Community College. Upon completion of basic training in the United States Army, he served in the National Guard...

Jul 27, 2018

Margaret F. 'Maggie' Ward, 87, of Hutchinson, died Friday, July 27, 2018, at Hester Care Center, located at Wesley Towers, Hutchinson. She was born January 26, 1931, in Hutchinson, to Samuel V. and Mary (Jeffries) Westrick. Maggie graduated from Hutchinson High School and attended Hutchinson Community College and San Diego State University. She worked at State Farm Insurance, Cushing, Hanson,...

Jul 27, 2018

Curt Parker, 53, formerly of Hutchinson, passed away suddenly on July 27, 2018, in Nash, OK. Curt was born December 21, 1964, in Billings MT to Gene and Kathryn Parker. He is survived by: wife, Sarah; and her son, Joshua; children, Brody and Sidney of Hutchinson; his mother, Kathy of Hutchinson; a brother, Ed of Cody, WY; a sister, Valerie...

Jul 27, 2018

Alva 'Al' Miller, 75, died Friday, July 27, 2018, at his home. He was born May 5, 1943, in Hutchinson, the son of Enos and Mary (Bontrager) Miller .

He was a farmer and pastor of Prairie Chapel Mennonite, Hutchinson.

On October 17, 1965, he married Dorothy Jane Nisly in Hutchinson. She survives. Al is...

Jul 27, 2018

Patty Kelman, 82, died Friday, July 27, 2018, at Prairie Sunset Home, Pretty Prairie.  She was born March 11, 1936, in Arlington, to Francis 'Curly' and Genevieve 'Tiny' (Feese) Sickmon.

Patty graduated from Arlington High School in 1954.  She was a farmer's wife and dairy woman.  Patty enjoyed quilting, knitting, and crocheting. She was a lifelong member...

Jul 24, 2018

H. William 'Bill' Powell, 90, of Hutchinson, died July 24, 2018, at Hester Care Center, Hutchinson. He was born December 14, 1927, in Hutchinson, to Harold Benjamin and Ollie (Ricksecker) Powell. Bill graduated from Reno County High School, Nickerson. He was a farmer and an airplane pilot for various local companies. On April 17, 1948, he married Barbara Vetter in...

Jul 22, 2018

Dixie M. Van Etten, 81, of Hutchinson, died Sunday, July 22, 2018, at Hospice House, Hutchinson. She was born August 22, 1936, in Hutchinson, to Emery R. and Esther (Young) Weiser. Dixie graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1954. She was an Avon representative for over 30 years and worked as a certified nursing aide at Mennonite Friendship Communities. Dixie...

Jul 21, 2018

Robert Charles 'Bob' Samms, of Hutchinson, died Saturday, July 21, 2018. He was born May 24, 1954, in Philadelphia, PA, the son of Loren Albert and Helen Gertrude (Martin) Samms. He was a 1972 graduate of Fairfield High School and attended Kansas State University. Bob was a retired veteran of the U.S. Navy and U.S. Postal Service. Memberships include: a...

Jul 20, 2018

Maxine Hutton, 98, formerly of Mount Hope, Kansas, and Shell Knob, Missouri, died Friday, July 20, 2018, at Medicalodge, Arkansas City, Kansas. She was born July 1, 1920, in Hutchinson, to Frank R. and Alpha G. (Reese) Blew. She married Kenneth G. Hutton on December 25, 1940. She was preceded in death by: her husband; parents; brothers, Frankie Lee Blew,...