Obituaries

Oct 25, 2023

Dorothy Helen Wall was born June 12, 1932, in Hutchinson, KS, to Merwin and Electa (Strawn) Shultz and died October 25, 2023, in Hutchinson, KS.

She married Elmer L. Wall on November 18, 1951, in Hutchinson. He passed away July 31, 1997.

Dorothy graduated from Reno Community High School, Nickerson, KS in 1950.

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Oct 25, 2023

James "Jim" Gilbert Smith, 77, of Iola, KS, died October 25, 2023, at his home.  He was born April 21, 1946, in Iola, to Eugene B. and Jessie Heldebrandt Smith.

Jim was employed at T.G. & Y. in Iola and then Pegues Department Store and Peel's Beauty Supply in Hutchinson before retiring back to Iola.

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Oct 25, 2023

Charlene Cheryl Buck, 78, died October 25, 2023, at Hospice House, Hutchinson, KS.  She was born November 24, 1944, in Hutchinson, KS, to John Melvin Brown and Esther Ruth (Nusser) Brown.

Cheryl was a 1963 graduate of Fairfield High School, Langdon, KS.  She worked as a personal property clerk at the Reno County Courthouse, retiring with many...

Oct 24, 2023

Imogene Kinast, 89, died October 24, 2023, at Hospice House, Hutchinson.  She was born September 1, 1934, in Ellsworth, to William C. and Mathilda (Stratmann) Janssen.

Imogene graduated from Lorraine High School, and attended Kansas State University.  She retired as a full-time administrative assistant at Hutchinson Community College in 1997.  Imogene later worked for the Reno County...

Oct 23, 2023

Christopher Michael David Ephraums, 42, of Hutchinson, died October 23, 2023, at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City. He was born February 4, 1981, in Kansas City, Missouri, to David and Carla (Jerde) Ephraums.

Known to many as "Cousin Chris," Chris graduated from Hutchinson High School. He was a highly intelligent man who loved...

Oct 22, 2023

Alberta Louise Knoefel, 88, died October 22, 2023, at Good Samaritan Society-Hutchinson Village.  She was born August 6, 1935, in Kingman, KS, to Elmer James Potter and Susan (Roberts) Potter.

Louise was a 1952 graduate of Pretty Prairie High School, Pretty Prairie, KS.  She was a member of the Abbyville United Methodist Church, Abbyville Community Church, and...

Oct 21, 2023

DeAnne Karen Thomas, 80, died October 21, 2023, at Legend Senior Living, Hutchinson. She was born February 18, 1943, in Wichita, to Lyndle Everett and Margaret Irene (Eppler) DeHart.

DeAnne graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1961 and graduated Hutchinson Community College in 1963. She worked in the advertising department for Dillons Food Stores for many years....

Oct 21, 2023

Brody Alan Kappel, 30, died October 21, 2023, in McPherson. He was born July 8, 1993, in Hutchinson, to Johnny Dwayne and Diana Leigh (Hall) Kappel.

Brody graduated from Buhler High School in 2011 and he attended Hutchinson Community College and Central Christian College in McPherson. He was the Director of Technology for New Hope Evangelical Church,...

Oct 20, 2023

Verna Elizabeth Gorges Milburn, 94, died October 20, 2023, at Legend of Hutchinson.  She was born June 1, 1929, in Nickerson, to Joseph Cary and Blanche May (McGonigle) Gorges.

Verna graduated from Abbyville High School in 1947.  She was the CEO of Milburn Oil Company and worked for Singleton-Joyce Optical.  Verna's most treasured job was that of...

Oct 18, 2023

Wauneta M. Darnell, 100, died October 18, 2023, at Hospice House, Hutchinson. She was born January 20, 1923, in Falls City, Nebraska, to Frank and Ethel (Cook) Peck Sr.

Wauneta graduated from Falls City High School in 1941. On August 6, 1941, she married Al Darnell in Falls City. They shared 66 years of marriage until his...

Oct 17, 2023

Gary Wayne Nelson, 83, died October 17, 2023, at his home in Hutchinson.  He was born October 5, 1940, in Webster, KS, to Perry J. and Louise E. (Wallgreen) Bray, Jr.

Gary worked on the line for General Motors.  After retirement, he stayed busy with part-time jobs, including Ineeda Cleaners and Roberts Hutch-Line.  Gary enjoyed playing bingo,...

Oct 15, 2023

Barbara Zody, 92, died October 15, 2023, at Hester Care Center at Wesley Towers in Hutchinson, Kansas.  Memorial service will be 2:00 p.m.  Saturday, October 28, 2023, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 17th and Main, Hutchinson, with Reverend Michael Tomson-DeGreeff officiating. A private family burial at Resthaven Cemetery, Wichita, will take place prior to the memorial service in Hutchinson....

Oct 14, 2023

Donna James, 86, died October 14, 2023, at Thorne Care Center, Hutchinson.

Donna Jo James was born July 9, 1937, in Macksville, Kansas to Clifford Locke and Goldie (James) Locke. Donna grew up on a farm near Macksville, where she thrived in a variety of activities, including square dancing, cheerleading, and twirling (sometimes with flames). On August...

Oct 14, 2023

Mary Montgomery, 88, died October 14, 2023, at Prairie Sunset Home, Pretty Prairie, KS.  She was born March 20, 1935, in Warsaw, MO, to Henry Paul Laird and Audrey (Edwards) Laird.

Mary was a graduate of Emporia State University.  She was an elementary school teacher in the Hutchinson area for many years.  Mary was a member of...

Oct 9, 2023

William "Bill' Eugene Debes, 81, died October 9, 2023, at Wesley Medical Center, Wichita, KS.  He was born July 7, 1942, in Great Bend, KS, to William N. Debes and Frances (Keeley) Debes.

Bill was a 1960 graduate of Great Bend High School, Great Bend, KS.  In 1964, he graduated from Fort Hays State University, Hays, KS.  ...

Oct 9, 2023

Mary L. "Vicki" Davis, 87, died October 9, 2023, at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center. She was born October 30, 1935, in Pratt, to Marten and Ruth (Shepherd) Jones.

Vicki worked in many different places that she enjoyed. She was a cashier in the cafeteria at Hutchinson High School, ticket taker for the Kansas State Fair, a green...

Oct 8, 2023

Raul Alberto Reza-Lujan, 36, of Hutchinson died October 8, 2023. He was born June 9, 1987, in Chihuahua, Mexico, to Rafael and Yolanda (Lujan) Reza.

Raul graduated from Hutchinson High School in 2006, and was currently working in commercial construction at Mark Borecky Construction, Hutchinson. He developed a passion for barbering and attended 21st Street Barber College...

Oct 7, 2023

Suzanne Brown, 85, died peacefully October 7, 2023, at Hester Care Center, Hutchinson.  She was born January 16, 1938, in Hutchinson, to Kenneth E. and Mercedes E. (Ellis) Sentney.

Suzanne graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1956, and received her bachelor's degree from Kansas University.  She was an active member of the Hutchinson Hospital Auxiliary, serving as...

Oct 3, 2023

Mary Jeannette Farley, 92, died October 3, 2023, at Hospice House, Hutchinson, KS.  She was born December 22, 1930, in Plains, KS, to Paul A. Myers and Carrie Inez (Malone) Myers.

Mary was a 1948 graduate of Plains High School, Plains, KS.  She received an Associates Degree from Fort Hays State University in 1950.  Mary worked as...

Sep 29, 2023

Melinda L. "Mindy" Wills, 69, died September 29, 2023, at The Arbors at Waldron Place, Hutchinson.  She was born July 22, 1954, in Arkansas City, to Don and Lawana (Wisdom) Thompson.

Mindy graduated from El Dorado High School in 1972, received her bachelor's degree from Kansas State University, and her master's degree from Wichita State University. She...