Obituaries

Jan 7, 2026

Sabra Marie Seifert, 76, passed away on January 7, 2026, at Hospice House in Hutchinson. She was born July 21, 1949, in Moline, IL, to Russell Lorraine and Patricia Louise (McCormick) Hanna.

Throughout her life, Sabra focused on her family. She was truly a homebody, who found joy in the simplest things in life. She enjoyed working...

Jan 6, 2026

Karen Dee Thielen, passed away January 6, 2026, at Mennonite Friendship Communities in South Hutchinson. She was born April 30, 1943, in Wilson, KS, to Glenn Harvey and Mildred Mae (Branda) Whitmer.

In 1961, Karen graduated from Wilson High School in her home town. Shortly after, she enrolled at Brown Mackie College in Salina, where she pursued...

Jan 6, 2026

Francisco P. "Frank" Torrez, Sr., 84, died January 6, 2026, surrounded by his family, at his home in Hutchinson.  He was the youngest child born to Silbestre and Isabelle (Ruiz) Torrez on December 18, 1941, in Larned.

Frank retired from Eaton Corporation, after over 40 years of service. He enjoyed attending estate sales and spending time with...

Jan 6, 2026

Pamela Stella "Pam" Lindstrom, 76, died January 6, 2026, at Hospice House, Hutchinson. She was born October 11, 1949, in Joplin, MO, to Clifford F. and Ida Fern (Jenkins) Watkins.

Pam graduated from Topeka West High School in 1967. She earned her Licensed Practical Nurse certificate from Kaw Valley Nursing School in 1969. Pam became a labor...

Jan 5, 2026

Kristi Ann "Kris" Ekum, 72, died January 5, 2026, at her home in Dodge City. She was born December 25, 1953, in McPherson, to Thomas Roy "Tom" and Gwendolyn Osa "Gwynn" (Roth) Ekum.

Kris graduated from McPherson High School in 1972; she went onto Fort Hays State University and received her bachelor's and master's degree in special...

Jan 4, 2026

Helen Virginia Thornburg, 85, of Hutchinson, passed away January 4, 2026, at Pleasant Hills. She was born March 9, 1940, in Forsyth County, Georgia, to H.B. and Vera A. (Lowry) Brown.

On April 26, 1958, Helen married LeRoy C. Thornburg, in Atlanta, GA. They met while he was serving in the U.S. Army at Fort Benning. She...

Jan 3, 2026

Bettie Jean (Sinclair) Burns, 90, of Hutchinson, passed away peacefully January 3, 2026, at Hospice House, surrounded by her loving family. She was born December 30, 1935, in rural Hodgeman County, the eldest daughter of Francis and Elma (Ehrlich) Sinclair.

Bettie graduated from Larned High School in 1954. On September 4, 1955, she married her high school...

Jan 2, 2026

Daniel Creighton Heller, 66, died January 2, 2026, at his home in Hutchinson. He was born June 12, 1959, in Kansas City, KS, to Kenneth Charles Heller and Margaret Velore Edwards.

Daniel worked as a welder and travelled frequently for work. He was a simple man with a free spirit. Daniel enjoyed riding his motorcycle. He loved...

Jan 2, 2026

Mary Gail (Hiley) Eldridge was born on February 17, 1951, in Brinkley, Arkansas, to Arnold Stanford Hiley and Mary Evalyna Hiley. The baby of the family, Gail (or Mary Gail, as many called her in her early years) grew up adored from the start—a fact that never changed in her 74 years on this earth. From the beginning, she...

Jan 1, 2026

James Oscar Dick, 93, died January 1, 2026.  He was born November 28, 1932, in Hutchinson, to John and Ursula Dick.

Jim began working at age 9 selling newspapers on December 7, 1941, Pearl Harbor Day. He never stopped working even after officially retiring in 1994. He mowed five lawns a week through his mid-80s.

...

Jan 1, 2026

Arturo Castillo Luna, 90, passed away January 1, 2026, at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center. He was born May 30, 1935, in Multe Balancan, Tabasco, Mexico, to Lucio Castillo Ferrer and Isabel Luna Chan.

Arturo is survived by: his loving wife of 55 years, Candelaria Castillo; children, Laura Yaneth Castillo Sanchez, Antonia Maribel Castillo Sanchez, Rodolfo Castillo Sanchez,...

Jan 1, 2026

Frances "Louise" Matthews, 99, of Hutchinson, died surrounded by her loved ones January 1, 2026, at The Wesley. She was born June 7, 1926, in Pretty Prairie, Kansas, to Frank and Nannie (McCowan) Mohs.

Louise attended Pretty Prairie schools and graduated from high school in 1944. She was a long-time member of Grace Episcopal Church.

...

Dec 31, 2025

Connie Lou Crenshaw, 67, of Hutchinson, died December 31, 2025, at Hospice House. She was born August 15, 1958, in Hutchinson, to James S. and Mary E. (Hopkins) Hightower.

Connie attended Hutchinson schools. She was a caretaker at heart and worked as a medication technician in various nursing homes throughout her working career. Connie enjoyed traveling with...

Dec 28, 2025

R.C. Schlatter passed away December 28, 2025.   He was born in Hutchinson to Ralph and Lucy (Kicenski) Schlatter.

R.C. attended Reno County rural schools, Hutchinson High School, Fort Hays State University, Wichita State University, and Kansas State University.  He earned the following degrees:  A.A., Hutchinson Community College; B.S., Pittsburg; and M.S, and Ed.S., Emporia State University.

Dec 28, 2025

Nancy Ellen Crawford-Seibel, 73, died December 28, 2025, at her home in Hutchinson. She was born December 27, 1952, in Hutchinson, to Charles David and Ruby Mildred (Martin) Crawford.

Nancy graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1970. She worked at Doskocil, later Tyson, in research and development. She retired in 2005, after working a combined 33 years....

Dec 28, 2025

Lora Lea Martin, 74, danced her last dance December 28, 2025, at Hospice House in Hutchinson. She was born October 30, 1951, in Iowa City, IA, to Charles Donald and Betty Louise (Dennis) Hemm.

In 1970, Lora graduated from Hutchinson High School and then attended Hutchinson Community College. For many years she was the secretary-treasurer for the...

Dec 28, 2025

Charlene Michelle Lemen, 49, passed away on December 28, 2025, at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center. She was born on May 23, 1976, in Hutchinson, to John K. and Cheryl A. (Endicott) Bauer.

Charlene graduated from Haven High School in 1995 and later received her Associate's degree in General Studies from Hutchinson Community College. She enjoyed a variety...

Dec 28, 2025

Phylliss Joan "PJ" Blackburn, 53, passed peacefully December 28, 2025, through Heaven's gates with her children and siblings by her side. She was born March 19, 1972, in Hutchinson to Rickey and Marcy Hemphill Blackburn, the baby of four.

PJ was spoiled and loved by everyone who met her. She met Kyle McAllister while in school.  They...

Dec 27, 2025

Barbara Jean (Philips) Caywood, 78, of Hutchinson, passed away December 27, 2025, at The Arbors in Hutchinson. She was born April 9, 1947, in Spokane, WA, the daughter of William and Eloise (Gibson) Philips.

Barbara graduated from Schutz American School in Alexandria, Egypt, in 1965, received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Sterling College in 1970 and...

Dec 27, 2025

Frank Davies, 91, formerly of Hutchinson, died Saturday, December 27, 2025, in St. Joseph, MO, at the home of his son, Jay Davies.

He was born September 21, 1934, in Hutchinson, the youngest son of Norwood Harold and Irene Martha (Turner) Davies, Sr.

In 1954, Frank joined the Army National Guard.  From 1954 to 1955,...