Obituaries

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...

May 25, 2023

Sammie E. Mosier, 83, Hutchinson, died May 25, 2023, at Hospice House, Hutchinson. He was born October 15, 1939, in Sterling, to Samuel O. and Selma M. (Engbrecht) Mosier.

Sammie was a 1957 graduate of Nickerson High School and 1961 graduate of Sterling College. He taught 6th grade at Nickerson Elementary School for 32 years. After retirement,...

May 22, 2023

Janice Kay Glenn, 71, died May 22, 2023 at her home in Hutchinson. She was born July, 24, 1951, in Cheshire England on the United States Air Force Burtonwood Base, to Arthur Vincent and Lillian Mae (Roos) Townsend.

Janice graduated from Derby High School in 1969. She worked as a Worker's Compensation Claim Representative for the state...

May 22, 2023

Lena Kaff, 90, died May 22, 2023, at Hospice House, Hutchinson. She was born May 29, 1932, in Lincoln, NE, to William C. and Marjoria (Goodwin) Helter.

Lena graduated University High School, Lincoln, NE in 1950. Lena worked at Gold's Department Store in Lincoln, NE.  She was a Stewardess for American Airlines based in Tulsa and Dallas....

May 22, 2023

Pauline Emmajean "Jeanne" Green, 86, died May 22, 2023.  She was born June 12, 1936, in Coffeyville, Ks, to Howard Ross and Jessie Josephine (Gillespie) Frantz.

Jeanne retired as an agent for H&R Block, but was most honored as a wonderful homemaker and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother.  She enjoyed knitting, crochet, needlepoint and sewing, but what...

May 22, 2023

Lisa Lynn Valentine, 58, died May 22, 2023, at Ascension Via Christi Hospital St. Francis, in Wichita. She was born February 20, 1965, in Hutchinson, to Tom and Judy (Hale) Reed.

Lisa graduated from Buhler High School in 1983, she then attended Hutchinson Community College and graduated from Wichita State University.  She was a licensed social worker,...

May 22, 2023

Frank Preston Triffet, 84, passed away May 22, 2023, at his home.  He was born July 4, 1938, in Lewiston, IL, to Glen Triffet and Jane (Preston) Triffet.

Frank was a 1957 graduate of Western University Lab High School and attended Western University, both located in Macomb, IL  He served in the United States Army Reserve in...

May 22, 2023

Wayne Melvin Robbins, 93, passed away May 22, 2023, at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center.  He was born August 18, 1929, in Attica, KS, to Harry Lee Robbins and May (White) Robbins.

Wayne served in the United States Army from March 1948 to March 1952.  He worked as a heavy-duty mechanic his entire life.  Wayne's last employment was...

May 21, 2023

Michael Gregory Delgado, 61, of Hutchinson, died May 21, 2023, at University of Kansas Health Systems in Kansas City. He was born April 20, 1962, in Hutchinson, to Plasido and Lucille (Mendoza) Delgado.

Michael was a thrill seeker and enjoyed living life. He enjoyed music, going to the casino and traveling. Michael was always looking for the...

May 21, 2023

Doris I. Thomas, 94, died May 21, 2023, at Hospice House, Hutchinson. She was born July 2, 1928, in Muskogee, Oklahoma, to Lloyd and Opal (Newburn) Warner.

Doris was a graduate of Hutchinson High School. She worked for Cessna as a cost accountant. Doris was a member of First Congregational Church in Hutchinson, where she was a...

May 20, 2023

Ila M. Pace, 97, formerly of Iuka, MS, died May 20, 2023, at Prairie Sunset Home, Pretty Prairie, KS.  She was born January 31, 1926, in Iuka, MS, to Fred A. and Bernie (Daniels) Martin. Ila moved to Pretty Prairie, KS over six years ago to be closer to family.

Ms. Ila graduated from Iuka High School,...

May 19, 2023

Phyllis Jean Richardson, 91, passed away May 19, 2023, at Sunshine Meadows Retirement Community, Buhler, KS.  She was born March 22, 1932, in McPherson, KS, to Paul W. Emmitt and Edna (Sidwell) Emmitt.

Phyllis was a graduate of Nickerson High School, Nickerson, KS, and Hutchinson Community College, Hutchinson, KS.  She was employed by Dillon Stores Inc. and...

May 19, 2023

Pamala A. Mulè, 73, of Wichita, died May 19, 2023, at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center. She was born June 28, 1949, in Hutchinson, to Don Cunningham and Rita (McConnell) Cunningham-Wright.

Pamala graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1967, then attended business college in Emporia. There, she met her husband, Thomas A. 'Tom' Mulè. After pursuing him for...

May 19, 2023

Andrew Blake Evans, 41, of Hutchinson, died May 19, 2023, at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center. He was born July 24, 1981, in Hutchinson, to Dale and Linda (Harris) Evans Jr.

Andrew graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1999. He was an artist at heart and also worked in residential construction. Andrew also assisted his father in cemetery...