Virginia Pearl ‘Gin’ Greer, 102, of Langdon, died April 28, 2018, at Mennonite Friendship Communities in South Hutchinson. She was born February 12, 1916, to Otto Wayne Dell and Liza (Leroux) Cunningham on the family farm near Preston.

Virginia graduated from Preston High School in 1934.

On August 22, 1934, she married Conrad Wells in Hutchinson. He died on October 13, 1946. On September 4, 1948, Virginia married John Greer in Langdon. He survives. They shared nearly 70 years of marriage.

She was a hard-working farm wife, mother, and grandmother. Virginia was an excellent cook and seamstress. She enjoyed painting (especially china painting), woodworking, gardening, and fishing. Virginia worked for a brief time at a restaurant in Turon after her first husband died. Later in life she enjoyed working at Eula’s Drapery Shop in Arlington. Virginia was a talented lady in many areas. She was a member of Turon Community Church and had been involved with several clubs and organizations throughout her life.

Virginia is survived by: grandson, Scott Wells and wife Penny of Dodge City; granddaughter, Terri Nazarenus and husband Corbin of Divide, CO; daughter-in-law, Vicki Wells; three great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and special friend, Karen Moore. She was preceded in death by: son, Ron Wells; sisters, Gertie Crick, Lucille Pomeroy; brothers, Floyd, Everett, Merle, Leo, Clarence, and infant brother, Otto.

Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 3, 2018, at Turon Community Church, Turon, with Pastor Steve Gill officiating. Burial will follow in the Langdon Cemetery, Langdon. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, at Elliott Mortuary.

Memorials are suggested to the church or Kindred Hospice, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

Robert John ‘Bob’ Reece, 72, died Friday, April 27, 2018, at Via Christi St. Francis Hospital, Wichita, Kansas. He was born July 8, 1945, in Hutchinson, the son of John F. and Elizabeth Jane (Ferguson) Reece.  Bob lived in the Langdon and Turon area all of his life and graduated from Fairfield High School in 1963. In 1967, he graduated from Sterling College with a BS degree in Natural Sciences. He was a member of the college choir. Upon graduation, he joined his father and brother-in-law on the family farm, retiring in 2013.

Bob was a committed Christian and was baptized in the Lerado Methodist Church. He was a member of Central Community Church, Wichita, but was currently attending Penalosa United Methodist Church. On December 18, 1966, he married Nyla Christian. To this union, three children were born: Noelle Kay, Jeffrey Robert and Jennifer Christian. They later divorced.

On November 21, 1998, he married Carol (Andres) Ratzlaff at Hoffnungsau Mennonite Church, Inman, Kansas. She survives. Also surviving are: children, Jeffrey of Overland Park, Noelle Regehr (Jeff) of Inman, and Jennifer Miller (Cody) of Benton, TN; stepchildren, Corey Ratzlaff (Sanghee) of Wichita, Amy Lewis (Brad) of Chicago, IL; sisters, Imogene Tilton (LaVerne) of Hutchinson, and Carol Toperzer (Tom) of Moore, OK; grandchildren, Jake Regehr (Traci) of Hutchinson, Wyatt Regehr of Manhattan, KS, Ethan Reece of Lawrence, Erin Reece, and Adaire Reece, both of Overland Park, Miranda Miller, and Lane Miller, both of Benton, TN; step-grandchildren, Lucas, and Jack Ratzlaff, both of Wichita, Elliot, and Molly Lewis, both of Chicago, IL; and many nieces , nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Penalosa United Methodist Church or Lerado Cemetery, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

Wesley E. Wills, 64, of South Hutchinson, died April 27, 2018, at Diversicare of Hutchinson. He was born February 10, 1954, in Yoder, to Wesley M. and Luleta (Buck) Wills. He worked for Pepsi Beverage Corporation for 20 years, starting out as a driver and working his way up to an office job. Later, he worked for Sears in their offices. Wes was very involved in the Sons of the American Legion and was the web master, on the national level, for the organization.

Survivors include: his mother, Luleta Wills of South Hutchinson; several aunts; uncles; and many cousins.

He was preceded in death by his father.

Graveside service will be held Tuesday, May 1, 2018, at 2 p.m. in Fairview Cemetery, Elmer. Friends may call from 1 to 8 p.m. Sunday and from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday at Elliott Mortuary. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Legion Child Welfare Foundation, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

Dr. William DeWitt “Bill” McLaurine Jr., 63, died Wednesday, April 25, 2018, at Prairie Sunset Home, Pretty Prairie. He was born February 5, 1955, in Nashville, TN, to William D. and Bessie L. (Tidwell) McLaurine Sr.

William received his PhD in psychology from Capella University  and two Master’s degrees. William worked for Hutchinson Correctional Facility for 13 years.  He was also a wonderful professor of criminal justice and psychology at Hutchinson Community College, Lake Superior State University and Eastern Kentucky University.  He was very honored and proud to have served in the United States Army and Marines.

On September 5, 1987, he married Lucille Lynette “Lyn” Keller in Arlington, KS. She died July 8, 2016.

William is survived by: son, Jack McLaurine and Fiancée, Kayla Honeycutt of Arlington; father, William McLaurine Sr. and wife, Delores of Edgewood, KY; mother-in-law, Lucille Keller of Hutchinson, brother-in-law, Jeff Keller and wife Patty of Haven; grandsons, Bryant, Russell, and Joey; granddaughter Amiyah and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by: his mother, Bessie Louise Tidwell, and father-in-law, Darrell Keller.

Graveside service will be 3:00 p.m. Thursday, May 3, 2018, at Iuka Cemetery in Iuka, KS, with military honors performed by Marine Honor Guard with Chaplain Randall Turner officiating.  Friends may sign the book from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday at Elliott Mortuary. Memorials may be made to Kindred Hospice or Prairie Sunset Home, in care of Elliott Mortuary and Crematory, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

Patricia C. Verstraete passed away on Wednesday, April 25, 2018, at her home in Langdon. She was born March 31, 1946, in Pittsburg, Kansas, to Jack and Velma (Devine) Long Sr.

She is survived by: husband, Gary; sons, Wilson (Janelle), and Bradley; grandchildren, Ashley Dylan, Cassandra; numerous great-grandchildren; three brothers, Jack Long Jr., (Glenda) Steve Long, all of St. Cloud, Florida, John Long of Basehor, Kansas; sister, Judy Anderson (Paul) of Gardner, Kansas; and numerous nephews and nieces.

Patricia and Gary were married July 13, 1968, at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Kansas City, Kansas. They shared almost 50 years of marriage.
Patricia served on the board of directors for RCEC and Legal Aid, and the governing body for the City of Langdon. She was involved with the Turon Community Church, the Women’s Bible Study, ‘Girlfriends Luncheon’ and Turon Senior Stitchers, (a charity serving many communities). Patricia worked for Horizons Mental Health Center and retired from the Human Resources Department for Reno County.

Patricia was told she had a light others could see. She considered that the “Light of Faith.”