Obituaries

Aug 7, 2023

Wayne Archie Nobbs, Jr., 86, of Hutchinson, died August 7, 2023, at Hospice House. He was born August 27, 1936, in Wichita, to Wayne Archie and Audrey Ann (Lauchland) Nobbs, Sr.

Wayne graduated from Wichita East High School in 1955 and attended Wichita State University. He started working in the aircraft industry and then worked as a...

Aug 4, 2023

Betty Lou Preston passed peacefully at the age of 93 on August 4, 2023 at Hospice House, Hutchinson. She was born September 29, 1929, in Hutchinson, to Roy Edward and Lillian Jane (Evans) Lyen.

Betty attended Hutchinson High School. She went on to College of Cosmetology in Dodge City. She was a beautician and owned her own...

Aug 3, 2023

Samuel Leighton "Sam" Roots, 49, formerly of Hutchinson, died August 3, 2023, in Grand Junction, CO, with his brother, Matthew, and his best friend, Jules, by his side. He was born November 23, 1973, in Seoul, Korea, and adopted by Roger Leighton and Mary Arnelda (Glass) Roots.

Sam graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1992.  He owned...

Aug 3, 2023

Mary Margaret Werth, 73, died August 3, 2023, at Ascension St. John Jane Phillips Hospital, Bartlesville, OK. She was born September 5, 1949, in Okeene, OK, to Henry and Marie (Kirchner) Huhman.

Mary attended St. Mary's Catholic School in Okeene, OK, and was a 1968 graduate of Okeene High School. She was employed as the Head Cashier...

Aug 2, 2023

Marsha Hobbs, 80, originally from Turon, died August 2, 2023, at Paramount Community Living and Rehab, Newton. She was born September 12, 1942, in Garden City, to George F. and G. Erlene (Bunyan) Mall.

Marsha graduated from Turon High School in 1960, and attended Salt City Business College, Hutchinson. On November 19, 1960, she married her high...

Aug 2, 2023

Clifford Lee Ediger, 92, of Hutchinson, died August 2, 2023, at Pleasant View Home, Inman. He was born April 7, 1931, in Inman, to Henry and Minnie (Peters) Ediger.

Cliff graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1949 and attended Hutchinson Community College. He worked as a press operator at the Hutchinson News for 39 years. Cliff also...

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...