Obituaries

Feb 26, 2024

Merwin Frye passed away from this life on February 26, 2024, at the age of 88, and he wants you to know that his work here is done.  He received a call at his home in Schowalter Villa, Hesston, Kansas; an offer one can't refuse, for an appointment from which he will not be returning.  This assignment came with...

Feb 25, 2024

Carolyn Jean (Sasse) Gillen, 79, died February 25, 2024, at Reflection Living Hutchinson.  She was born September 1, 1944, in Smith County to Albert Sasse and Rosina (Zabel) Sasse.

Carolyn was a 1962 graduate of Gaylord High School, Gaylord, KS.  She graduated in 1966 from Fort Hays State University, Hays, KS, with a Bachelors Degree in Home...

Feb 24, 2024

Kenneth R. "Ken" Willard, 75, formerly of Hutchinson, passed into heaven on February 24, 2024. He was born July 4, 1948, in Miami, OK, to Rev. Kenneth L. and Betty L. (Skaggs) Willard.

Ken was a 1966 graduate of Overland Christian High School, Overland Park. In 1968, he answered Uncle Sam's call and joined the U.S. Navy,...

Feb 23, 2024

Gary P. Geist, 80, of Hutchinson, died February 23, 2024, at Hospice House, Hutchinson. He was born January 4, 1944, in Hutchinson, to Wilbur Paul and Willdene (Miller) Geist.

Gary graduated from Boulder High School, Boulder, CO, in 1963. During his life, he worked for Mid America Pipeline and local school districts as a janitor, amongst others....

Feb 23, 2024

Viola "Vi" Pettay, 75, died February 23, 2024 at Hospice House, Hutchinson, surrounded by her entire family. She was born August 4, 1948 in Great Bend, Kansas, to Leonard & Maxine (Trent) Mings.

On May 22, 1965, she married the love of her life, Jack Pettay, in Hutchinson, KS. They shared over 58 3/4 years of marriage....

Feb 22, 2024

Richard Lee "Dick" Mehl, 81, of Hutchinson, died February 22, 2024, at his home. He was born September 26, 1942, in Ellsworth, Kansas, to A.C. "Shorty" and Mary "Odah" (Fail) Mehl.

Dick graduated from Holyrood High School in 1960. In 1963, he joined the United States Coast Guard and served until 1967. On October 12, 1968, Dick...

Feb 22, 2024

Kenneth Herman Rose, 90, of Hutchinson, died February 22, 2024, at Welsey Towers, Hutchinson. He was born June 17, 1933, on the family farm near Bloomfield in Knox County, NE, to Herman Philip and Emma (Hinzmann) Rose.

He served in the U.S. Army in Korea, having volunteered for the draft to earn the GI Bill, and then...

Feb 22, 2024

Debra D. Buss, 71, died February 22, 2024, at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center. She was born March 29, 1952, in Hardtner, KS, to Marvin L. and Lila Bell (Knox) Buss.

Debra graduated from Newton High School. She worked out of her home as an upholsterer, refurbishing furniture and car interiors. Debra enjoyed going to garage sales and...

Feb 21, 2024

Frank Almanza Jr., 86, died February 21, 2024, at Hospice House, Hutchinson. He was born July, 23, 1937, in Hutchinson, to Francisco and Felis (Ponce) Almanza.

After his high school graduation, Frank joined the United States Navy. He worked as a correctional officer for the Kansas Department of Corrections in Hutchinson, he retired after 28 years of...

Feb 20, 2024

Mark Lane Brazeal, 61, left this world on February 20, 2024.  He was born on October 7, 1962 in Kansas City, MO.  Mark was adopted at birth by Maynard and Mary Lou Brazeal and was later joined by a sister, also adopted, to complete his family.  They moved to Kansas in 1968, living south of Hutchinson, KS, on the...

Feb 20, 2024

Marie Mitchell, 97, passed away on February 20, 2024, at Thorne Care Center- Wesley Towers, in Hutchinson.  She was born on January 8, 1927, to Elijah and Bessie Bowman Reeves in Thayer, KS.

Marie married Jimmie Lee Mitchell on August 1, 1978.  He passed December 19, 1993.   She was an excellent homemaker who thoroughly loved her family.  ...

Feb 20, 2024

Frances J. Martin, 97, of Houston, TX, died February 20, 2024, at Apex Oaks at Cypress Assisted Living, Houston, TX. She was born April 10, 1926, in Hutchinson, KS, to Charles Lee and Gertrude T. (Bressler) Detter.

Frances was a 1944 graduate of Hutchinson High School. She attended Hutchinson Community College and graduated from the University of...

Feb 18, 2024

Reid Jackson Stubbs, 16, of Hutchinson, died February 18, 2024. He was born June 4, 2007, in Hutchinson, to Jarad R. Stubbs and Kristen L. Brookshire.

Reid was a Junior at Buhler High School. He loved God, family and friends.  Hunting and fishing were his passion.  He was on the Fishing Team and FFA at Buhler High...

Feb 18, 2024

Suzi Lynn Fisher, 70, of Hutchinson, died February 18, 2024, at Hospice House. She was born June 2, 1953, in Dallas, TX, to Samuel A. and Syble J. (Ziegler) Young.

Suzi graduated from Garland High School in 1971 and attended Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches, TX, where she studied opera. Moving to Hutchinson in 1975, Suzi...

Feb 17, 2024

William S. "Bill" Michelstetter, 65, died February 17, 2024, at Hospice House of Hutchinson, surrounded by his loving family. Bill was born March 15, 1958, in Hutchinson, to William and Carma Leta (Nelson) Michelstetter.  He fought a lengthy, but courageous battle with GPA, formerly known as Wegener's Granulomatosis (a rare autoimmune disease) and a new diagnosis of MDS/Myelodysplasia Syndrome...

Feb 17, 2024

Delores L. Lakin, 85, of Junction City, KS, died February 17, 2024, at Enterprise Estates Nursing Center, Enterprise, KS. She was born July 30, 1938, at Grace Hospital in Hutchinson, to Fred H. and Minnie L. (Roberson) Evans.

She was a loving and devoted daughter, teacher, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend.  Delores was a member of...

Feb 17, 2024

Edward 'Ed' James Martinez, 82, died February 17, 2024, at his home in Wichita, KS.  He was born August 8, 1941, in Halstead, KS, to Santiago "Jim" P. Martinez and Maria Santos (Baltierra) Martinez.

Ed was a graduate of Hutchinson High School and Hutchinson Community College.  He served in the Kansas National Guard.  Ed was an instructor...

Feb 17, 2024

Terry L. Whittier, 68, died February 17, 2024, at Hospice House in Hutchinson. He was born January 16, 1956, in DeSoto, MO, to David and Barbara Ellen (BeQuette) Whittier.

Terry graduated from DeSoto High School, DeSoto, MO. He was a simple man who enjoyed fishing, bowling, throwing back a cold one, and spending time with his family....

Feb 14, 2024

LaVerne Wesley Trindal, 75, died February 14, 2024, at his home in Hutchinson. He was born October 4, 1948, in Concordia, to Wesley LaVerne and Donna Irene (Cyr) Trindal.

LaVerne graduated from McPherson High School. He became a bus driver for Trinity Jr./ Sr. High School.

LaVerne enjoyed watching NASCAR and the Kansas City Chiefs....

Feb 13, 2024

Charlyn Kay "Char" Swofford, 59, died February 13, 2024, at Hospice House, Hutchinson. She was born January 7, 1965, to Patricia Ann (Keller) Pennock.

Char graduated from Hutchinson High School.  She worked as a phlebotomist at the Hutchinson Clinic for many years.  In addition, Char worked at Wesley Towers Retirement Community, ensuring the Thorne Care residents were...