Obituaries

Jun 21, 2023

Austin William Rea, 29, of Fort Worth, TX, died June 21, 2023. He was born October 29, 1993, in Newton, to Troy A. Rea and Tanya S. (Laughlin) Ketchum.

Austin attended Trinity Jr./Sr. High School and graduated from Hutchinson High School in 2012. He was employed as a heavy equipment operator at Rock Solid, Inc. Austin enjoyed...

Jun 21, 2023

Raechell Dyanne (Christopher) Swanson, 25, entered Heaven's Gates on June 21, 2023. She was born April 16, 1998, in Wichita, to Dale and Mary Jane (Turpen) Christopher.

Raechell graduated from Hutchinson High School in 2015. She was an outgoing, loving, caring, passionate and classy young lady. Raechell loved helping the older generation. She especially loved helping her...

Jun 20, 2023

William 'Bill' Waine Ogden, 69, died June 20, 2023, at his residence in Hutchinson. He was born July 28, 1953, in Bowling Green, MO, to Mason and Virginia Hamlett (Lindemann) Ogden.

He graduated from Cunningham High School, Cunningham, KS in 1971. Right after graduating, he joined the U.S. Navy until his retirement in 2005. Following his years...

Jun 20, 2023

Sharon Kay Ansel, 76, of Hutchinson, died June 20, 2023, at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center. She was born August 14, 1946, in Walsenburg, CO, to Mike and Rose R. (Zorich) Maxwell.

Sharon graduated from Walsenburg High School, attended Southern Colorado State College in Pueblo and Hutchinson Community College. She worked in the district offices of Nickerson USD...

Jun 17, 2023

Way Elmer Eikleberry, 80, died unexpectedly June 17, 2023, at his home.  He was born March 8, 1943, in Salina, to Ray Oren and Maude O. (Manon) Eikleberry.

Way graduated from Salina High School and worked as an insurance salesman and at Gregory, Inc.  He was one of a kind with his magnetic personality.  Way enjoyed playing...

Jun 17, 2023

Diana L. Lyons, 69, of Hutchinson, died June 17, 2023, at Ascension Via Christi St. Francis, Wichita. She was born February 6, 1954, in Garden City, to Chester W. 'Bud' and Erma Joyce (Giesaking) Marker.

Diana graduated from Garden City High School in 1972. She also graduated from Brown Mackie College. She worked for Integrated Solutions Group,...

Jun 17, 2023

Orville Duane Dennis, 85, died June 17, 2023, at his home in Hutchinson. He was born May 16, 1938, in a farm house in Clay County, Hayes Township KS, to Frank Hudson and Viola Marie (Marsh) Dennis.

Orville attended a little one room school for a year and a half, then he transferred to Green Grade School...

Jun 16, 2023

Patricia Lee Simpson, 87, died peacefully at home in Hutchinson on June 16, 2023, after a long battle with cancer. She was in the comfort of family at the time of her passing.

Born on August 16, 1935, in Kansas City, KS, to Will and Edna (Welker) Farris, Pat graduated high school in Argentine, KS. She then...

Jun 15, 2023

Thomas Smith Hymer, 80, died June 15, 2023, at his home.  He was born November 24, 1942, in Omaha, NE, to Glenn Wade Hymer and Wilma Ruth (Smith) Hymer.

Thomas was a 1961 graduate of Benson High School, Omaha, NE.  He was the owner of the shoe store located in the Pegues Department Store, Hutchinson, KS, and...

Jun 15, 2023

William Leslie "Bill" Strawn, 61, of Hutchinson, died June 15, 2023, at his home. He was born October 13, 1961, in Hutchinson, to Howard L. and Nancy A. (Kirkbride) Strawn.

Bill graduated from Tribune High School in 1980. He was the owner and operator of Strawn Garage in Kinsley for over 30 years before returning to Hutchinson....

Jun 13, 2023

Donald Joseph "Don" Murray, 86, of Nickerson, died June 13, 2023, at his home. He was born August 21, 1936, in Mound Valley, to Joseph S. and Eunice O. (Traxson) Murray.

Don graduated from Nickerson High School. He became a certified electrician and owned his own business in Johnson before moving to Colorado Springs, CO, and working...

Jun 12, 2023

Harriett 'Gail' Wolfe, 79, of Hutchinson, died June 12, 2023, at Diversicare of Hutchinson. She was born June 22, 1943, in Evansville, IN, to Julius Elmore and Anna (Fox) Scherzinger.

Gail graduated high school in New Harmony, IN. From a young age, she loved watching semi trucks pass by her small school house. When Gail grew up,...

Jun 11, 2023

Fred Ellis Lutz, 80, formerly of Perryton, TX, died June 11, 2023, at Research Hospital in Kansas City, MO. He was born July 28, 1942, in Ellsworth, to Fredrick E. and Lucille (Harmon) Lutz.

Fred graduated from Ellsworth High School in 1960. He served in the United States Navy from 1960-1963. Fred served as a "Boilerman" on...

Jun 11, 2023

Patricia A. Hildebrand, 91, of South Hutchinson, died June 11, 2023, in Hutchinson.  She was born August 31, 1931, in Hutchinson, to Claud and May (Hedgecock) Black.

Patricia graduated from Hutchinson High School.  She was a life-long home maker.  She enjoyed crocheting and collecting dolls.

Patricia married Alvin Hildebrand on May 4, 1950.   They shared...

Jun 10, 2023

Memorial service for Ryan will be

10:00 a.m. Monday, July 31, 2023, at

Emanuel Lutheran Church, 140 E. 30th Avenue, Hutchinson.

Ryan Gene Simpson, 58, was taken too soon on June 10, 2023, in Fort Scott, KS, as the result of a motorcycle accident.  He was born...

Jun 10, 2023

Brannon Paul Curiel, 47, died June 10, 2023, at Kanopolis Lake. He was born December 17, 1975, in Hutchinson, to Lynn Curiel and Melissa (Wagoner) Decoster-Hoffman.

Brannon graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1994. He went on to join the United States Army in 1996, and retired in 2016. Brannon was currently pursing his bachelor degree in...

Jun 9, 2023

Merritt "Bubba" Roland Wright, 71, of Haven, died June 9, 2023, at Premier Living in Wichita. He was born October 21, 1951, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to Lester and Annie (Hess) Wright.

Merritt graduated from Pretty Prairie High School in 1970. He worked at Haven Steel Production for 28 years and then Underground Vaults and Storage for...

Jun 9, 2023

Pamela Sue Newlin, 71, died June 9, 2023, at her home.  She was born February 29, 1952, in Hutchinson, KS, to Morris Merle and Darlene (Schrock) Newlin.

Pamela graduated from Hutchinson High School.  She was employed by the State of Kansas as an equipment operator, retiring with many years of service.

Pamela is survived by...

Jun 6, 2023

Jack Shearer Sampson, 95, formerly of Hutchinson, died June 6, 2023. He will be fondly remembered for his sense of humor, wise counsel and investment in his community.

Jack was born June 24, 1927, in Beloit, to Clarence and Iona (Shearer) Sampson. He graduated from Abilene High School in 1945. He then served in the United States...

Jun 6, 2023

Jack Christopher Orr, 91, died June 6, 2023, at Diversicare of Hutchinson, KS.  He was born March 3, 1932, in Syracuse, KS, the son of William Melvin Orr and Gladys (Wright) Orr.

Jack was a graduate of Lyons High School, Lyons, KS.  He served in the United States Army.  Jack was employed by the City of Hutchinson...