Obituaries

Dec 26, 2024

Eric Wade Harbaček, 57, of Hutchinson died December 26, 2024, at his home. He was born March 25, 1967, in Hutchinson, Kansas to Max and Bonnie (Purvis) Harbaček.

Eric graduated from Hutchinson High School where he wrestled and played football. He received his barber license from the Kansas Board of Barbering and was passionate about his craft...

Dec 25, 2024

Linda Jean Richardson, 73, died December 25, 2024, at her home with her love, Claude Bell, by her side. She was born April 26, 1951, in Sterling, KS.

Linda was a savvy business woman for over forty years, she owned Rich Paint Manufacturing. She enjoyed traveling to Colorado and Las Vegas. Linda loved cooking, gambling and going...

Dec 24, 2024

Aidan Riley Shane Douglas, 19, of Bel Aire, went to walk with Jesus on December 24, 2024, at Salina Regional Health Center. He was born September 23, 2005, in Hutchinson, to Shane Douglas and Chelsea Kramer.

Aidan had a large heart and was willing to help everyone. In his last act of selflessness, he was an organ...

Dec 24, 2024

James G. "Jim" Stoecklein, 89, died December 24, 2024 at Pleasant Hills, Hutchinson.

He was born July 21, 1935 (the 7th of 17 children) on a farm southwest of Bazine, KS in Ness County, the son of Martin & Anna (Depperschmidt) Stoecklein.  Jim graduated from Ness City High School in 1953, served in the U.S. Army for...

Dec 24, 2024

Loel Wanita (Smith) Balzer, 99, of Hutchinson, died December 24, 2024 at Collier Assisted Living. She was born November 18, 1925 in Grace Hospital, Hutchinson, KS, to Wade Nelson and Mabelle Wanita (Glass) Smith.

Raised on a dairy farm southwest of Hutchinson, Loel's elementary school years were enjoyed within walking distance of her one-room school house. Music...

Dec 24, 2024

Gary M. Foster, 80, of Abbyville, was found deceased December 24, 2024, in rural Kansas. He was born September 5, 1944, in Hutchinson, to Darrel and Elaine (Ehling) Foster.

Gary was a lifelong farmer and rancher with a great love for his cattle and sheep. He was a tremendously hard worker but he also knew the importance...

Dec 24, 2024

Julia Marie Bland, 72, died December 24, 2024, at her home in Hutchinson. She was born February 17, 1952, in Wichita, to Charles Robert and Frances Arlyne (Raumaker) Bland.

In 1970, Julia graduated from Nickerson High School and in 1997 from Hutchinson Community College, earning her associate degree. Julia worked at Lowen Corporation for more than 20...

Dec 24, 2024

E. Olen Mitchell, 103, died peacefully December 24, 2024, at Hester Care Center, Hutchinson.  He was born December 9, 1921, in Stuart, OK, to Kenneth Troy and Pearl (Buck) Mitchell.

Olen moved to Hutchinson when he was 17 years old.  In 1943, he was drafted into the United States Army, and sent to Sicily, Italy, after 16...

Dec 23, 2024

Norman Lewis Barringer, 84, passed away Monday, December 23, 2024, in Hutchinson. He was born July 1, 1940, in Highland, the son of Jess and Mildred (Cole) Barringer.

On October 28, 1966, Norman married Barbara Ellan Davis in Hutchinson. They welcomed their daughter, Christina, in September 1967 and their son, Nathan, in December 1971.

He...

Dec 23, 2024

William E. "Bill" Naab, 86, died December 23, 2024, at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center. He was born June 11, 1938, in Jetmore, to Clemence W. "Clem" and Rose J. (Falke) Naab.

Bill graduated from Nickerson High School. He served in the United States Army for two years. Bill worked at Cessna in the fluid power division as...

Dec 22, 2024

Rodney Lee Kasparek, 71, of Hutchinson, died December 22, 2024, at Hospice House. He was born July 27, 1953, in Hutchinson, to J L and Opal M. (Gaffney) Kasparek.

Rod graduated from Nickerson High School in 1971 and worked at Morton Salt, Jackson Ice Cream, and Haven Mattress until he retired. He enjoyed listening to music, attending...

Dec 21, 2024

Barbara Ann Sharp, 92, passed away December 21, 2024, at Waldron Place Senior Living Center which she lovingly referred to as her cruise ship docked on dry ground.  She was born in Hutchinson, KS, June 15, 1932, to Albert Charles and Margaret (Miller) Schroder.  Her mother later married Thomas Jefferson Sharp.

Barbara married the love of her...

Dec 20, 2024

Helen Ann Smith, 77, passed away and into the arms of her heavenly father on December 20, 2024, at her home in Newton. She was born June 16, 1947, to John Bailey and Leona Iona (Reinke) Gardner.

Helen attended Hutchinson Community College, where was a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. She also went to...

Dec 20, 2024

Emery Eugene Shuff, 68, died December 20, 2024, at Leisure Homestead at Stafford. He was born February 11, 1956, in Hutchinson, to Waldo Richard and Anna Marie (Keeler) Shuff.

Emery graduated from Nickerson High School in 1974. He enjoyed playing video games, watching movies, assembling puzzles, painting, and doing all kinds of crafts.

Emery is...

Dec 19, 2024

Clarence C. Roynon, 90, of Hutchinson, died December 19, 2024, at his home. He was born May 10, 1934, in Compton, California, to Carl and Viola (Helfer) Roynon.

Clarence proudly supported the country and was a United States Merchant Marine. He worked for McDonnell Douglas Aircraft Corporation. Clarence went on to retire from Hutchinson Bag Factory (Hubco...

Dec 19, 2024

Melvin Ray Ginn, 98, and lifelong Abbyville resident, died at his home December 19, 2024.  He was born August 4, 1926, in the family's farmhouse, rural Abbyville, to Melvin Curtis and Sarah Martha (Dunn) Ginn.

Ray attended a one-room school house and graduated as Valedictorian from Arlington High School, in 1944. He immediately entered the United States...

Dec 19, 2024

Beverly Mae Miller was born in Oklahoma City on August 23, 1936 and went to be with the Lord on December 19, 2024 in Hutchinson, Kansas. She lived as a child in Logan, Kansas and later Larned, Kansas, before moving to Hutchinson, Kansas, where she lived the majority of her adult life. Beverly was known for her hard work,...

Dec 17, 2024

Donna Jean Stewart, 78, died December 17, 2024, at Thorne Care Center, Hutchinson.  She was born September 27, 1946, in Hutchinson, to Paul Carlton and Thelma Bernadine (Mackey) Buskirk, Jr.

Donna graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1964.  For 34 years, she sold Avon and was known throughout Hutchinson as the "Avon Lady".  In addition, she enjoyed...

Dec 17, 2024

Patricia "Pat" Flickinger, 85, of Hutchinson, died December 17, 2024, at Legend of Hutchinson. She was born October 8, 1939, in Hutchinson, to John and Oma (Leach) Barrett.

Pat graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1957. On April 25, 1959, she married Clyde A. Flickinger in Hutchinson at her family home. They shared nearly 53 years of...

Dec 17, 2024

Ward Michael Phillips, 49, passed away December 17, 2024, at his home in Hutchinson, Kansas, after a courageous battle with renal failure. He was born June 8, 1975, to Greg and Jeannie (Skillett) Phillips in Great Bend, Kansas.

Ward grew up in Lewis, Kansas, where he attended elementary and high school graduating in 1995. He  lived in...