Obituaries

Mar 18, 2025

Ruby L. "Mimi" Chronister, 86, of Hutchinson, died on March 18, 2025, surrounded by her family. She was born June 5, 1938, in Hoxie, Kansas, to Rueben and Alice (Lewis) Stapleton.

On July 2, 1955, she married William D. Chronister in Hutchinson. They shared nearly 51 beautiful years together before his death on April 25, 2007.

Mar 17, 2025

Joseph L. "Joe" Kelly, 52, of Hutchinson, unexpectedly died on March 17, 2025. He was born February 6, 1973, in Hutchinson, to Julie Chappel.

Joe was a vivacious man, full of life and love, who was always eager to embrace life's adventures. He loved to be in the great outdoors. Joe took pleasure in working outside and...

Mar 16, 2025

Victor W. Cross, 81, in the presence of the Lord and family, passed away on March 16, 2025, at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center. He was born on December 28, 1943, in Wichita, Kansas, to Richard and Lucy Cross.

Victor graduated from Hutchinson High School and soon after enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving his country faithfully, with...

Mar 16, 2025

DeMaris R. Bucko, 92, of Hutchinson, died March 16, 2025, at her home. She was born November 10, 1932, in Pittsburgh, PA, to David and Ruth (Glass-Maiden) Shimp.

On July 4, 1952, she married Steve Bucko in Pittsburgh, PA. They shared nearly 63 of marriage before his death on August 9, 2015.

DeMaris happily worked...

Mar 15, 2025

Ronald (Ron) L. Smith, 89, died March 15, 2025, at Hospice House, Hutchinson. He was born January 23, 1936, in Hutchinson, to Reed Q. and Ida Maye (Coberly) Smith.

Ron attended Hutchinson High School. On July 16, 1954, he followed his dream and joined the Hutchinson Fire Department. After 42 years of dedicated service to his community,...

Mar 15, 2025

Francis 'Sonny' William Severin, 86, died March 15, 2025, at Reflection Living, Hutchinson. He was born September 14, 1938, in Huntington Park, California, to Frank J. and Orlean (Norris) Severin.

Francis graduated Hutchinson High School in 1956, then attended Hutchinson Community College, earning his associates degree. He worked as a lab technician for Morton Salt, Hutchinson for...

Mar 15, 2025

Johnny Joe "John" Pollock, 50, of Inman, died Friday, March 14, 2025, at Hospice House, Hutchinson, with his family by his side. He was born April 24, 1974, in Hutchinson, to Homer Wayne "Skip" and Mary Jo (Watkins) Pollock.

John graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1992, and received his bachelor's degree from KU in 1996.  He...

Mar 13, 2025

Heather Ann Ford passed away peacefully in her sleep on March 13, 2025, in Wichita, Kansas.

Born on August 28, 1966, Heather grew up in Cheney Kansas and spent most of her adult life in the Wichita area.  She was a one of a kind. Uniquely her own.

She is survived by her son, Bryce...

Mar 13, 2025

On March 13, 2025, Carole Ann Shultz (Brown), of Hutchinson, "a child of the dirty thirties", joined hands with Delbert and went home to the Lord.

Born May 16, 1935, at Grace Hospital, Hutchinson, to Leo William and Lillian Gladys (Gookins) Brown. The family moved from Grinnell, KS to Hutchinson in 1940. Carole attended Mitchell (District #2)...

Mar 11, 2025

Bobbi Jo Fesler, 64, of Buhler, died March 11, 2025, at Hospice House, Hutchinson. She was born December 14, 1960, in Hutchinson, to Al "Sonny" and Zelma E. (Dovel) Zarnowski.

Bobbi graduated from Buhler High School, Cranford College, and Sidney's Hairdressing College. She was a beautician for a number of years before going to work as an...

Mar 9, 2025

Margaret R. "Peggy" Merklin, 80, of Hutchinson, died March 9, 2025, at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center. She was born November 2, 1944, in Hugo, Colorado, to Archie and Isabell (Sutliff) Shouse.

Peggy graduated Burlington High School in Colorado and obtained her associates degree from Seward County Community College. For many years, she worked as a teller at...

Mar 9, 2025

Binnie Ruth "Binky" Kendrick, 64, died March 9, 2025, at Salina Regional Medical Center. She was born March 6, 1961, in Garden City, to James Benjamin and Margie Ruth (Smith) Chaffin.

Binky graduated from Nickerson High School in 1979 and Hutchinson Community College with an associate's degree in early childhood education. Prior to working in early childhood...

Mar 8, 2025

Jerry Dean Josephson, 77, died March 8, 2025, at his home.  He was born September 3, 1947, in Hutchinson, to Jack Leon and Norma Jean (Tice) Josephson.

Jerry graduated from Nickerson High School in 1965.  Three months after graduating high school, he was drafted into the United States Army, serving in Vietnam.  After returning from Vietnam, Jerry...

Mar 8, 2025

Oaklyn Kaye Jackson was born in silence gaining her heavenly wings March 8, 2025, at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center.  She was the daughter of Jeremey M. and Chelsea N. (Wilson) Jackson.

Oaklyn is survived by:  her parents, Jeremey and Chelsea; sister, Maliyah Jackson (14); brother, Zayden Jackson (7); paternal grandmother, Cheryl Popkey, all of Hutchinson; paternal grandfather,...

Mar 7, 2025

Dixie Lee Bergmeier, 87, died March 7, 2025, at Sunshine Meadows Retirement Community in Buhler. She was born January 14, 1938, in Wakefield, the daughter of Mert and Louise (Blesh) Sherbert. Her parents died when she was young and she was taken in and raised by William "Bill" and Lela Auld of Wakefield.

Dixie graduated from Wakefield...

Mar 6, 2025

Theodore Edwin Dale Benett was born in silence March 6, 2025, at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center, to Zoey Bennett of Haven and Brendin Smith of Wichita.

Theodore is survived by: his grandparents, Jon and Jenesis Bennett of Haven, Kevin Smith of Wichita; great-grandfather, Mike Bennett of Mount Hope; great-grandmothers, Shonna Bartlett of Haven, Pamela Litchberg of Wichita,...

Mar 6, 2025

Virginia Lee Brinkley, 84, died March 6, 2025, at her home.  She was born October 17, 1940, in Altamont, MO, to Virgil Earl and Trudy Lucille (Youtsey) Reid.

Virginia graduated from Gallatin High School, Gallatin, MO, in 1958, and went to work for the shoe factory in Chillicothe, MO.  She then moved to Junction City, where she...

Mar 5, 2025

Michael Gerald "Mike" Smith, 70, died March 5, 2025, at his home in Hutchinson. He was born June 24, 1954, in Sterling, KS, to Fred Gerald and Arlene Thelma (Heldt) Smith.

Mike graduated from Sterling High School in 1974. He worked as a welder for Cessna, Hutchinson. Mike enjoyed bowling, playing pool and riding motorcycles.

...

Mar 5, 2025

Carl Rex Waggoner, 44, died March 5, 2025, at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center. He was born February 11, 1981, in Hutchinson, to George Thomas and Amy Elizabeth (Howell) Waggoner.

Carl graduated from Normandy Tech High School, St. Louis County, MO, in 2001. He worked for Mass Trucking Co. and Titus as a truck driver and for Ryder...

Mar 4, 2025

Mary "Kay" Bottomley, 71, of Hutchinson, died March 4, 2025, at Hutchison Regional Medical Center. She was born December 23, 1953, in Hutchinson to Wilbur and Pauline (Leeper) Stotts.

Kay attended Buhler High School and Hutchinson High School. She worked in advertising for The Bee, KSKU, and the Hutchinson News.

On June 16, 1995, she...