Obituaries

Aug 1, 2023

John Patrick "Pat" Murphy, 75, died August 1, 2023, at his home, freeing his body from the excruciating pain he had endured for 15 years. He was born January 16, 1948, in Norton, to Gerald Earl and Marian E. (Powell) Murphy.

Pat graduated from Scott City High School, and then entered the United States Army.  He served...

Jul 31, 2023

Larry Dean Pepperd, 69, died July 31, 2023, at Wesley Medical Center, Wichita, KS.  He was born September 23, 1953, in Pratt, KS, to Dwight and Shirley Maxine (Heape) Pepperd.

Larry was a 1971 graduate of Goddard High School, Goddard, KS.  He served in the United States Army from May 1971 to September 1975.  Larry was an...

Jul 30, 2023

Ray Edwin Bontrager, 86, passed away on Sunday, July 30, 2023, in Haven, Kansas. Ray was born October 7, 1936, to Jerry and Edna Bontrager in Hutchinson, Kansas.

Ray attended Haven High School and Hesston Academy graduating in 1954, and then attended Hesston College. He was married to Carol Martin at her home near Wellman, Iowa in...

Jul 28, 2023

James William "Jim" Rhaesa, 91, died July 28, 2023, at Hospice House, Hutchinson.  He was born July 14, 1932, in Detroit, MI, to James Robert and Eleanor Elise (Ironside) Rhaesa.

Jim graduated from Wayne Memorial High School, Wayne, MI, in 1951, Sterling College in 1955, and received his Master's Degree from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in 1958.  He...

Jul 27, 2023

Cheryl Renee Engelhardt, 69, of Hutchinson, KS died on July 27, 2023. She was born September 15, 1953 in Pratt, Kansas to Elmer E. and Lavada P. (Quasebarth) Engelhardt.

Cheryl graduated from Chase High School and Brown Mackie College-Salina. She worked at Rice County Abstract and Gibson's in Great Bend, Ks. In 1998 she moved to Hutchinson...

Jul 27, 2023

Clinton Dean "Cracker" McIlrath, 66, of Kingman, died July 27, 2023, at his home. He was born November 15, 1956, in Kingman, to William and Janis (Wagner) McIlrath.

Clinton graduated from Kingman High School in 1976. He retired as a mechanic, welder, and fabricator. Clinton was the biggest fan of NASCAR.

On February 14, 2001,...

Jul 27, 2023

Jodi Brack-Simmons, 77, of Hutchinson, died July 27, 2023, at Wesley Medical Center, Wichita. She was born October 20, 1945, in Newton, to Charles and Gladine (McClure) Smith.

Jodi graduated from Newton High School in 1963 and later attended Butler Community College. She was an administrative assistant for USD 308 middle schools for many years. Jodi was...

Jul 26, 2023

"Have I got a deal for you?"  Nothing made Robert Lee "Bob" Horyna, 78, happier than making a good deal, unless it included helping out friends and family. If you needed something, Bob Horyna was there to help.

Bob died July 26, 2023, at his home. He was born November 24, 1944, in Caldwell, KS, to Ben...

Jul 25, 2023

In the early morning of July 25, 2023, Lanette Richey, 61, went home to be with the Lord. She was born October 11, 1961, in Long Beach, CA, to William T. "Tom" and Cecilia Arlene (Mendenhall) Richey Sr.

Lanette spent most of her life in Hutchinson. She worked at R.L. Polk for almost 20 years.

...

Jul 25, 2023

Richard Joseph Webb III, 73, of Walker, KS, died, Tuesday, July 25, 2023, at his home. He was born December 22, 1949, in Hutchinson, KS to Richard Joseph and Mary Helen (Urban) Webb, Jr. His life partner was Louise Virginia Sheets. They were together for over 20 years until her passing on May 14, 2014.

He was...

Jul 22, 2023

Karen L. Thompson, 73, died July 22, 2023, at Mennonite Friendship Communities, South Hutchinson, KS. She was born February 28, 1950, in Great Bend, KS, to Russell Lee and Arline Lucille (Byers) Thompson.

Karen was a 1968 graduate of Great Bend High School.  She attended Salt City Business College and Hutchinson Community College, formerly Hutchinson Community Junior...

Jul 21, 2023

Mauri A. Zumalt, 31, of Nickerson, died July 21, 2023, at her home in Nickerson. She was born March 3, 1992, in Wichita, to Keith and Betty (Beeney) Zumalt.

Mauri graduated from Pleasantview Academy, Hutchinson, and Hutchinson Community College with an associates' degree. She had a wide array of interests.  She studied biochemical engineering at K-State University,...

Jul 21, 2023

Robert Lester "Bob" Burns, 78, died July 21, 2023, surrounded by family, at his home in  Wichita. He was born July 12, 1945, in Wichita, to John Raymond Horney and Bertha Naomi (Cavanee) Burns.

Bob graduated from Wichita East High School and received his bachelor's degree from Wichita State University.  He worked in law enforcement most of...

Jul 20, 2023

Ralph Harvey Geist, 84, died July 20, 2023, at Reflection Living Senior Living Home, Hutchinson, KS.  He was born July 25, 1938, in Hutchinson, KS, to Everett Harvey and Emma Alveretta (Thompson) Geist.

Ralph was a 1956 graduate of Plevna High School, Plevna, KS.  Early in his life, he worked at Cessna, operated a gas station in...

Jul 20, 2023

Kyle Frank Hulet, 72, died July 20, 2023, at his home in Hutchinson.  He was born August 23, 1950, in Hutchinson, to Frank Alexander and Virginia Frances (Hartmann) Hulet.

Kyle was a life-long resident of Hutchinson. He had a heart of gold and a strong work ethic.  Kyle worked in the office for various businesses, include his...

Jul 19, 2023

Lawrence Duncan "Larry" DeCou, 83, died July 19, 2023, at his home in Hutchinson.  He was born July 15, 1940, in Lindsborg, to Donald Frank and Marguerite (Meyer) DeCou.

Larry graduated from Manhattan High School in 1958 and Kansas State University in 1962. For 13 years, he taught woodworking at Central Junior High School before embarking on...

Jul 19, 2023

Bonnie M. Johnson, 93, died July 19, 2023, at Hospice House, Hutchinson. She was born October 19, 1929, on Patterson Ranch, near Maitland, MO, to Rollie and Colene Margaret (Butzer) Landess.

On December 22, 1950, she married Daryl H. Johnson Sr., in Maitland. They had four children together, Daryl H. Johnson Jr., infant daughter (died at birth),...

Jul 18, 2023

Robert Wayne "Bob" Williams, 71, of Hutchinson, died July 18, 2023, at Hospice House. He was born February 11, 1952, in St. Joseph, MO, to Howard and Charlyne (Kerns) Williams.

Bob attended schools in St. Joseph, Buhler High School, and Hutchinson Community College. He was a lumber broker for many years for Sitco Lumber, specializing in exotic...

Jul 18, 2023

Bill Dean Collins, 94, died July 18, 2023, at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center.  He was born April 3, 1929, on a farm near Chetopa, KS, in Cherokee County, to Charles Cameron and Ora Crystal (Mordica) Collins.

Bill graduated from Columbus High School, Columbus, KS in 1947, and Kansas State University in 1951. He earned his master's degree,...

Jul 18, 2023

Albert 'Al' Wayne Oller, 86, of Holyrood, died July 18, 2023, at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center. He was born October 2, 1936, in rural Pratt County, to Andy Sam and Eunice (Ford) Oller.

Al graduated from McCracken High School. Shortly after graduation, he joined the United States Army and served in the 10th Mountain Division. After serving...