Obituaries

Jun 5, 2023

Juanita Marie McVay, 88, died June 5, 2023, in Richmond, Texas. She was born October 27, 1934, in Abilene, Texas, to Meredith and Dora (Sauer) Blye.

Juanita worked as an office manager for Morton salt and belonged to the Sweet Adelines Chorus for many years.

On August 16, 1972, she married Howard "Mitt" McVay. He...

Jun 5, 2023

Beverly JoAnn Steffen, 63, died June 5, 2023, at Hutchinson Health and Rehab. She was born April 5, 1960, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, to Richard and Ruth (Lake) Hopkins

Beverly attended Haven High School and went on to work as a case manager. She had many hobbies including woodworking, sewing, cooking, and softball. Beverly was also very...

Jun 4, 2023

Steven 'Steve' Wesley Cardwell Sr., 72, died June 4, 2023, at Hospice House, Hutchinson. He was born September 21, 1950, in Hutchinson, to Raymond Rex and Jacqueline Jane (Hines) Cardwell.

A Hutchinson High School graduate of 1968, Steven joined the United States Navy right after high school. After honorable discharge from service, he earned his master electrician...

Jun 4, 2023

Phyllis J. Schweizer, 89, died June 4, 2023, surrounded by her children at Hospice House, Hutchinson, KS. She was born January 19, 1934, in Berne, IN, to Eli and Lorena (Habegger) Lehman.

Phyllis was a 1952 graduate of Berne French High School. She went to Bob Jones University, Greenville, SC, and graduated with a Bachelors Degree in...

Jun 1, 2023

William 'Bill' Allen Garber, 88, died June 1, 2023, at his home in Hutchinson. He was born May 4, 1935, in Hutchinson, to Leo and Ellen Matilda (Gillock) Garber.

Bill graduated from Buhler High School in 1953. He worked for various companies, such as, Morton Salt and Stroberg Equipment Company. In addition, he was a Captain at...

May 30, 2023

Harold 'Hal' DuWayne Heineken, 90, died May 30, 2023.  Cremation has taken place.  A private Celebration of Life gathering will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, in care of Elliott Mortuary and Crematory, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

May 30, 2023

Sally Ann Foster, 89, died May 30, 2023, at Hospice House, Hutchinson. She was born January 19, 1934, in Hutchinson, to Goldwin and Cloma (Dixon) Smith.

Sally graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1952 and attended Hutchinson Community College. She was a homemaker and also worked for four years at Gunn Music Company. Sally was a member...

May 29, 2023

Shirley J. Cuckler, 93, died May 29, 2023, at Sunshine Meadows Retirement Community, Buhler. She was born June 14, 1929, in Chadron, NE, to Walter and Amanda (Martens) Dobbins.

Shirley graduated from Chadron High School, Chadron, NE.  She was a homemaker and enjoyed reading, gardening, crocheting, and fishing at the lake.  Shirley was a talented seamstress, even...

May 29, 2023

Ann Hays, 100, of Hutchinson, died May 29, 2023, two days shy of her 101st birthday, at Legends of Hutchinson.  She was born Esther Ann Smith in Spearman, TX, on May 31, 1922, to Miles M. and Esther M. (Sargent) Smith.

Ann graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1938 and soon after graduated from Adela Hale Business...

May 28, 2023

Jack A. Hartle, 86, of Hutchinson, died May 28, 2023, at Hospice House, Hutchinson. He was born April 9, 1937, in Hutchinson, to Kale Floyd and Martha Maxine (Stahl) Hartle.

Jack graduated from Lyons High School in 1955, and Kansas State University in 1971, Manhattan, with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast News and Communications. He was the...

May 27, 2023

Arland W. Richards, 99, died May 27, 2023, at Legend of Hutchinson.  He was born October 12, 1923, in Salina, to Earl L. and Blenda M. (Ingemanson) Richards.

Arland graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1941, served in the United States Army from 1943-1946, and received his bachelor's degree from Kansas State University in 1950. He was...

May 27, 2023

Randy L. Buggeln, 65, McPherson, died May 27, 2023, at his home. He was born January 5, 1958, in Hutchinson, to Kenneth "Breezy" and Nancy (Jennings) Buggeln.

Randy was a Buhler High School graduate in 1976. He was a rural water operator for Rice County Water District 1. Randy participated in Pheasants Forever, Little River Chamber of...

May 27, 2023

Don Eugene Graebner, 84, of Hutchinson, died May 27, 2023, at Mennonite Friendship Communities, South Hutchinson. He was born November 28, 1938, on the family farm near Macksville, to Jim and Vaughn (Miles) Graebner.

Don graduated from high school in Clayton, NM. He served in the U.S. Army from 1961-1963. Don worked for many years at Cessna/Eaton,...

May 26, 2023

Jonah 'Joe' L. Birdwell, 79, passed away May 26, 2023, at Diversicare of Hutchinson, KS.  He was born February 18, 1944, in Wichita, KS, to J.F. Birdwell and Vivian Irene (Morton) Birdwell.

Joe was employed as a railroad car inspector.  He was a member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Hutchinson, KS.

On August 5, 1966,...

May 26, 2023

Jeffrey S. Arnold, age 66, passed away peacefully, his wife Julie and daughter Melissa by his side on Friday May 26, 2023, at Hospice House in Hutchinson, Kansas. He was born January 27, 1957, in Neenah Wisconsin, son of the late Oscar H. Norton and Betty (Jones) Hoffman. Jeff was adopted May 10, 1957 by the late Laurence Lester...

May 26, 2023

Lavonne Marie (Zimmerman) Farney, 91, died May 26, 2023, at Mennonite Friendship Communities, South Hutchinson, KS.  She was born January 17, 1932, the daughter of John A. and Edna Edith (Mosier) Zimmerman, in Reno County near Plevna, KS.

Lavonne graduated from Nickerson High School in 1949, and in 1953, she received a Bachelor's degree from Sterling College.  ...

May 26, 2023

Michael Keffeler, 72, passed away May 26, 2023, at Hospice House.  He was born December 25, 1950, in Sundance, Wyoming.  Through Michael's participation with the Oxford House organization, he had a positive influence and touched many lives .

Michael is survived by his adopted family, Butch and Verna Neel; special friend, Ilene Hougham, and many other friends....

May 25, 2023

Mervin Randall "Merv" Hathaway, 92, formerly of Hudson, died May 25, 2023, at Good Samaritan Society-Hutchinson Village.  He was born September 29, 1930, in Stafford, to Elmer William and Dora Louise (Hart) Hathaway.

Merv attended school in Stafford and St. John.  He served in the United States Army from 1948-1949, in the Army Reserve from 1949-1953, and...

May 25, 2023

Debra Kay Byers, 63, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, died May 25, 2023, at her home. She was born April, 9, 1960, to Donald and Ella (Thiel) Wedel, in Hutchinson, KS.

Deb attended Sterling High School and later graduated from Regis University with her Bachelor's of Administration Management. She worked as a Product Manager. Deb was on the...

May 25, 2023

Marilyn Janice Hines, 78, died May 25, 2023, at her home in Hutchinson.  She was born August 23, 1944, in Lake Charles, LA, to William Abraham and Mabel Estell (Bowen) Johnson.

Marilyn graduated from Lorraine High School, Lorraine, and Salt City Business College, Hutchinson.  She worked for Blue Cross/ Blue Shield of California for 32 years retiring...