Obituaries

Dec 28, 2023

Helma 'Lou' Luella Kerens, of Hutchinson, KS, passed away peacefully to be with her Lord on December 28, 2023, just ten days before her 104th birthday.  She believed in living an active and healthy lifestyle and as a result she lived a long and fulfilling life.  Lou took up swimming laps at the YMCA in her 60's and was...

Dec 28, 2023

Durline Myrtle Barkley, 97, passed to her heavenly home on December 28, 2023, at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center.  She was born March 31, 1926, in Osage County, OK, to Wilce Alexander and Ollie May (Wilson) Spence.

Durline was joined in marriage to James Barkley, and later to Bob Barkley.  To these unions were born seven sons and...

Dec 27, 2023

Pamela 'Pam' G. Birdwell, 76, of Hutchinson, died December 27, 2023, at her daughter's home, Hutchinson. She was born July 4, 1947, in Wichita, to L. L. and Edith Pearl (Walters) Hildebrand.

Pam graduated from South High School in Wichita. She spent most of her life as a typesetter. In her free time, she liked to do...

Dec 27, 2023

Perry Lee Stutzman, 80, of South Hutchinson, died December 27, 2023, at Mennonite Friendship Communities. He was born March 28, 1943, in Hutchinson, to Tobias and Emma (Nisly) Stutzman.

Perry was a long-time employee of Pleasantview Home Improvement and then was a truck driver for ProVia Doors. He was a member of Center Amish Mennonite Church and...

Dec 26, 2023

Stephen Alan "Steve" Showalter, 80, of Inman, died December 26, 2023, in Baton Rouge, LA, while on his way to Orlando, FL, to support his beloved K-State Wildcats football team. He was born August 28, 1943, in Hutchinson, to Russell Dale and Blanche Irene (Yoder) Showalter.

Steve graduated from Inman High School in 1961 and Kansas State...

Dec 24, 2023

Ashley Renae Corwin, 33, of Liberty, MO, died peacefully December 24, 2023, with her parents by her side.  She was born February 15, 1990, in Ottawa, to Brian and Jenny (Stout) Corwin.

Ashley graduated from Winnetonka High School in 2008, and attended Maple Woods Community College, both in Kansas City, MO.  She enjoyed sewing, baking, and trying...

Dec 23, 2023

Sharis Marie Ballard, 73, died December 23, 2023, at Hospice House, Hutchinson.  She was born May 27, 1950, in Garden City, to Charles Henry and Zora Waneta (Clinton) Moore, Sr.

Sharis graduated from Scott City High School and Hutchinson Community Junior College, in September 1971, with her nursing degree.  She was a registered nurse for over 35...

Dec 23, 2023

Carolee Syres, born on January 28, 1933, in Wichita, KS, passed away on December 23, 2023, at the Hester Residential Care Center of Wesley Towers in Hutchinson, KS. She was the youngest of five siblings born to Ralph Lyddle Thiry and Gladys Lucille (Miller) Thiry.

Carolee graduated from Wichita North High School in 1951 and went on...

Dec 21, 2023

John Paul Davis, 65, of Newton died December 21, 2023, at Wesley Medical Center, Wichita. He was born June 20, 1958, in Wichita, to William Thomas Sr. and Mary Rose (Bedore) Davis.

John worked as a welder for Agco in Hesston. He was a welder most of his life. John enjoyed dancing and being an outdoorsman, he...

Dec 21, 2023

John J.U. Smith, 66, died December 21, 2023, at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center. He was born December 24, 1956, in Wichita, to John and Delores (Olmstead) Smith.

John attended Eureka High School and then joined the United States Army, where he served for three years. He was a sheriff deputy for Greenwood County and then worked for...

Dec 20, 2023

Darrel Eugene Tucker, 87, of Hutchinson, died December 20, 2023, at Mennonite Friendship Communities, South Hutchinson. He was born September 22, 1936, in Haven, to Albert Theodore and Marjorie Arbel (Ketchum) Tucker.

Darrel graduated from Haven High School in 1955. He worked as a flower delivery driver for Caldwell Greenhouse for 35 years, the Reno County Fire...

Dec 20, 2023

Nancy Marie Costello, 88, died December 20, 2023, at Hospice House, Hutchinson.  She was born August 23, 1935, in Hutchinson, to Harold and Claire (Saylor) Rayl.

Nancy graduated from Haven High School in 1953, and Mercy School of Nursing in 1956.  She worked as a registered nurse at St. Elizabeth Hospital and was a homemaker.  Nancy was...

Dec 20, 2023

Richard 'Rich' Hilgers, 66, passed away December 20, 2023, at his home.  He was born October 13, 1957, in Salina, KS, to James Richard Hilgers and Elizabeth Anne (DeMurry) Hilgers.

Rich was a 1976 graduate of Trego Community High School in WaKeeney, KS.  On February 20, 1982, he married Janet Siegrist at the Salem Community Church in...

Dec 19, 2023

Dale Alex Howerton, 83, died December 19, 2023, at Hester Care Center, Hutchinson.  The son of Lucretia Hanna Howerton and Floyd Osborn Howerton, he was born April 25, 1940, in Harper, KS.

Dale lived on a farm south of Norwich until 1944, when his family moved to Kingman, where he attended school.  In 1950, Dale started at...

Dec 18, 2023

Julie Marie Beam, 62, of Hutchinson, died December 18, 2023, at Hospice House. She was born January 9, 1961, in Great Bend, to James L. and Linda L. (Holt) Meek.

Julie graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1979 and attended Hutchinson Community College. She loved taking care of children and worked as a child care attendant at...

Dec 17, 2023

Terry Ray O'Dell, 66, of Wichita, died December 17, 2023, at Paramount Community Living and Rehab, Newton. He was born January 23, 1957, in Terre Haute, IN, to James William and Reba (Driver) O'Dell.

Terry worked as a tuck pointer, and was a member of the International Union of Bricklayers Union and later, as a custodian for...

Dec 16, 2023

Gerald Wayne Stucky, 76, passed away Saturday, December 16, 2023, at the Good Samaritan Village in Hutchinson Kansas. He was the son of Harvey Stucky, Dorothy (Krehbiel) Stucky Graber and Stepfather Donald Graber. Gerald was born May 20, 1947, at Grace Hospital, Hutchinson, Kansas. He grew up on the family farm east of Pretty Prairie, Kansas and attended Red...

Dec 16, 2023

Laverne 'Si' Franklin Seifert, 72, died December 16, 2023, at Hospice House-Hutchinson.  He was born June 27, 1951, in Hutchinson, KS, to Charles Earl Seifert and Gertrude Claire (Bell) Seifert.

Si was a graduate of Buhler High School, Buhler, KS.  He retired after 42 years as a lineman for Westar Energy, currently known as Evergy.

...

Dec 16, 2023

Virginia Lee Allison, 76, formerly of Coffeyville, died December 16, 2023, at Wesley Medical Center.  She was born September 21, 1947, in Coffeyville, to Elmer Lee and Virginia Frances (Perry) Brown.

Virginia worked as a waitress and the south Dillons in Dodge City as a checker.

Virginia is survived by:  daughter, Diane Babcock (Dallas) of...

Dec 15, 2023

Delores Ann (Backman) Eschliman, 90, of Hutchinson, KS, passed away December 15, 2023, at The Arbors at Waldron Place. She was born October 12, 1933, in Torrington, WY, to Ralph and Anna (Heil) Backman.

Delores grew up on a farm in the Huntley, WY, area and graduated from Huntley High School in 1951. She attended the Southeast...