Obituaries

May 3, 2024

Malcolm D. 'Mal' Kleiber, 86, of Hutchinson, died May 3, 2024, at Hospice House. He was born March 19, 1938, in Hutchinson, to Lloyd and Eleanora (Blasiar) Kleiber.

Mal went to St. Teresa's grade school and high school, graduating in 1956. He played football, basketball, and baseball in school. Malcolm served in the Army National Guard for...

May 1, 2024

William 'Bill' Richard Drews, 89, passed away Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at Hutchinson Health and Rehab, Hutchinson, KS.  He was born September 29, 1934, in Larned, KS.  He was the son of Rutherford Richard Drews and Maxine Humphrey Rhea Drews.

Bill graduated from Wichita East High School.  He married JoAnn Elaine Bilsten on January 22, 1954.  They...

Apr 30, 2024

Waverly H. "Blackie" Johns, 89, of Hutchinson, died April 30, 2024, at his residence. He was born December 16, 1934, to Ray Johns and Virginia (Vansickle) Johns.

Waverly started high school then enlisted with the United States Army Reserves where he spent eight years. He worked as a carpet layer for 30 years then transitioned to working...

Apr 29, 2024

Rachel Lee Hornbeck, 80, of Hutchinson, died April 29, 2024, at Hospice House.  She was born August 4, 1943, in Hutchinson, to Robert Lee and Viola Mae (Banks) Huffman.

Rachel graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1962.  She worked as a pharmacy technician at both Walmart and Dillons. Rachel was a skilled painter and illustrator, and enjoyed...

Apr 29, 2024

James Boyd Wilcoxen, age 95, passed away April 29, 2024, at Thorne Care Center. Born June 18, 1928, in Hutchinson, to Lee Doyle Wilcoxen and Marceline Louise Huffman, Jim lived his entire life in Hutchinson.

On September 25, 1948, he married Ruth Lilly Miller, his sweetheart of 6 years. Having missed service in WW2, Jim enlisted in...

Apr 29, 2024

Ron Johnson, 78, of Abbyville, died April 29, 2024, at Sunshine Meadows Retirement Community, Buhler. He was born December 13, 1945, in Hutchinson, to Ralph W. and Lorene V. (Kasselman) Johnson.

Ron graduated from Fairfield High School in 1964 and from Phillips University, Enid, OK, in 1968 with a business degree. He was very active in the...

Apr 28, 2024

Walter D. Kilpatrick, 62, died April 28, 2024, in Hutchinson. He was born May 15, 1961, in Hutchinson, to Walter W. and Patricia (Zordel) Kilpatrick.

Walter graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1979. He was a member of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local Union #441 of Wichita.

Walter is survived by: brothers, Michael Kilpatrick of Hutchinson...

Apr 28, 2024

Jerel Lynn Welker of Lincoln, NE received a huge hug from Jesus in Heaven on April 28, 2024 after a short, hard battle with cancer. He was 65.

He was born on Nov. 2, 1958 in Hutchinson, KS to Joyce and John Welker. Jerel attended Fairfield HS graduating in 1976. He received his Assoc. of Arts Degree...

Apr 27, 2024

Andrew "Andy" Ray Griggs, age 76, of Hutchinson, Kansas, passed away on April 27, 2024 at Hospice House. He was born in Stillwater, Oklahoma on September 11, 1947, to John Jr. and Joyce (Kennedy) Griggs.

Andy graduated from Nickerson High School, Nickerson, KS in 1966 and then enlisted in the U.S. Navy Reserve, serving in Adak, Alaska....

Apr 26, 2024

Robert Charles Conner Sr., 80, died April 26, 2024, at his residence in Hutchinson. He was born March 17, 1944, in Hindsboro, IL, to Minnie Conner Titus.

Chuck worked for Collins Bus Corporations, and retired after 30 plus years.

Chuck enjoyed woodworking, fishing and riding his motorcycle. He was a longtime pool player, a member...

Apr 25, 2024

Patricia Darlene "Patty" Tinder, 78, died April 25, 2024, at Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice in Wichita. She was born October 31, 1945, in Canton, OH, to James P. and Barbara R. (Moorehead) Wenner.

Patty graduated from Haven High School in 1965 and attended Hutchinson Community College. In addition to being a homemaker, she was a child care...

Apr 24, 2024

Larry E. McDonald, 69, of Hutchinson, died April 24, 2024, at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center. He was born on September 14, 1954.

During his life, he enjoyed drawing, looking at car magazines, and making friends at TECH Inc.

Larry is survived by his guardian, Joyce Ploog of Hutchinson. He was preceded in death by his...

Apr 24, 2024

Avril Mae Jewett, 96, died April 24, 2024, at Pleasant Hills, Hutchinson. She was born August 6, 1927, in El Dorado, to Ralph and Barbara Belle (Worrell) Seymour.

Avril graduated from El Dorado High School.  She was a loving wife and mother.  Avril supported her children in their activities and events, and chauffeured them wherever they needed...

Apr 23, 2024

Kathi Anne Smith, 64, died April 23, 2024, at her home.  She was born October 27, 1959, in Scott City, KS, to Paul George Smith and Carol Ann (Reed) Smith.

Kathi enjoyed shopping at Walmart and writing letters.  She loved getting in a car and just going for a ride. Kathi was a Special Olympics athlete and...

Apr 23, 2024

Virginia M. Rexroad, 99, of Partridge, passed away on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at Hospice House, about 5:30 PM, due to an ailing heart and worn-out heart.

Virginia had a long and happy life filled with plenty of love and fun with her husband, Jack, daughter, 2 grandsons, 5 great grandkids, and 3 great-great grandkids. She loved...

Apr 23, 2024

Daniel Luis Raya, 61, of Hutchinson, died April 23, 2024, in Hutchinson.  He was born July 8, 1962, in Hutchinson, to Tiburcio Juarez "Paul" Raya and Margaret (Martinez) Sterns.

Daniel graduated from Hutchinson High School, and worked for various companies such as Collins and Jackson Ice Cream.  He was an extremely hard worker, and enjoyed fishing, hunting,...

Apr 23, 2024

Remedios "Mello" Navarro, 90, of Hutchinson, passed away April 23, 2024, surrounded by loved ones at her home. She was born October 5, 1933, in La Union, New Mexico, to Antonio Olmos Ventura and Juanita Castro Llamas.

Mello married Peter M. Navarro in February of 1955, in McPherson. They settled in Hutchinson and, in addition to being...

Apr 22, 2024

Ricky Gene "Rick" Blakesley, 64, of Hutchinson, died April 22, 2024, at home surrounded by his family.  He was born July 12, 1959, in Russell, to Claude Ray and Margaret Ellen (Boxberger) Blakesley.

Rick graduated from Hays High School in 1978, National College in 1996, and the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center, in 1980.  His work career...

Apr 22, 2024

Laurie A. Davis, 53, died April 22, 2024, at her home surrounded by her family. She was born December 23, 1970, in Hutchinson, KS, to Charles and Nadine (Youngberg) Oliver.

Laurie graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1989. Her work career varied, she was in the medical field for many years and worked as a general manager...

Apr 21, 2024

Curtis William Moore, 69, of Hutchinson, died April 21, 2024, at Hospice House in Hutchinson. He was born March 16, 1955, in Hutchinson, to Howard and Ada (Johnson) Moore.

Curtis was a graduate of Nickerson High School. He worked in many different roles for Stroburg Equipment Company. Curtis was married to Nina Jarmer from July 30th 1978...