Merrel Clifford ‘Spanky’ ‘Bud’ Sparks Jr. of Hutchinson, 71, died March 31, 2018, at Hospice House, Hutchinson. He was born April 26, 1946, in Hutchinson, the son of Merril C. and Cora Catherine (McCune) Sparks Sr. Bud graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1966 and then served in the United States Army in Vietnam from 1966 to 1968. He worked at Morton Salt and Orrin’s Pitt Stop, but his favorite job was at Ye Old Mill at the Kansas State Fair, at which he worked for 30 years. Bud was a member of the United Steelworkers Union of America, serving as union representative.

On May 24, 1968, he married Patricia D. ‘Pat’ Snyder in Hutchinson. She survives.

Other survivors include: sons, Joey Sparks and David Sparks (Amanda), all of Hutchinson; daughter, Tammy Parker of Wichita; sister, Wendy Flickinger (Richard) of Abbyville; 11 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Bud was preceded in death by: his parents; sister, Bonnie Byer; and stepfather, Harvey Jerauld.

Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 3, 2018, at Elliott Chapel, with Pastor Tim Carey officiating. Burial will follow in Fairlawn Burial Park, Hutchinson, with military honors conducted by the Fort Riley Honor Guard. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, with the family to receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. at Elliott Mortuary. Memorials may be made to the donor’s choice, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

Gloria Caudillo, 75, of Hutchinson, died Wednesday, March 28, 2018, at Select Specialty Hospital, Kansas City, Kansas. She was born August 7, 1942, in Newton, Kansas, to Severo and Theresa (Grajeda) Rodriguez. She was the youngest of 10 children.

Gloria graduated from Newton High School. She was a homemaker. For over 50 years, Gloria was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church and the altar society. She will be remembered for always lending a helping hand to her family and friends and for her generous spirit.

On November 12, 1966, she married Gabriel ‘Gabe’ Caudillo at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, South Hutchinson. They shared 51 years of marriage.

Gloria is survived by: husband, Gabriel ‘Gabe’ Caudillo of Hutchinson; children, Ron Caudillo of Hutchinson, Bryan Caudillo (Erika) of Olathe, Kansas, Andrea Caudillo of Lenexa, Kansas; siblings, Martha Gomez, Faye Garcia, Henrietta Calvillo, Phyllus Rodriguez, Ruben Rodriguez; and grandchildren, Eric Caudillo, Spencer Caudillo, Elise Caudillo, and Ian Caudillo.

She was preceded in death by: her parents; and siblings, Bacho Rodriguez, Estella Chavez, Josephine Martinez and Vera Martinez.

Parish Rosary will be 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 3, 2018. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 4, 2018, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 612 S. Maple, South Hutchinson, with Father Ned J. Blick officiating. Burial will follow in Fairlawn Burial Park, Hutchinson. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday at Elliott Mortuary. Memorials may be made to Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

In honor of Gloria, the family requests you wear her favorite color, purple, to her service.

Esther L. Goheen, 94, died March 28, 2018, at Pleasant View Home in Inman.  She was born October 20, 1923, to J. Henry and Alta (Long) Dawson; had a brother, Dale Dawson, who predeceased her.  Esther was a lifelong resident of Hutchinson.

Esther graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1941 and Hutchinson Junior College in 1943. Esther first married John M. Howell, they later divorced, and they raised two children who survive: son, John L. Howell of Colorado Springs, CO, and his children; John Howell Davies, Hutchinson, Jason Howell, Colorado Springs, CO, and Jeffrey Howell, Berthoud, CO; daughter, Julianne Smith of Hutchinson and her children, Heather LacKamp, Olathe, KS, and Shawn Smith, Enid, OK.

Esther’s second marriage was to Everett Dunham, who predeceased her.  Everett’s surviving children include Pete (Ruth Ann) Dunham, Mineral Wells, TX.  Esther’s third marriage was to Wilbur Goheen, who predeceased her.  Wilbur’s surviving son is Clark Goheen, Lyons, KS.

Esther also is survived by numerous step-grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.  She retired from the Cessna accounting department after 27 ½ years of service. Esther sang in the choir at First Christian Church and most recently was attending Eastwood Church of Christ.  She was also involved in the Uvedale Chapter DAR and the State Fair Promenaders.  Esther, with husband Everett, served as president for the State Fair Promenaders from 1986-1987.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Esther Goheen Memorial Fund, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

Joe Alfred ‘Dad’ Martinez, 42, of Hutchinson, died Sunday, March 25, 2018. He was born October 18, 1975, in Carrizo Springs, TX, the son of Alfredo and Adelita (Ledesma) Martinez.

Joe graduated from Carrizo Springs High School, and attended Southwest Texas Junior College.

He is survived by: wife, Ashley Martinez; daughters, Tiffany Jade Martinez and Niyha Angelien Martinez, all of Hutchinson, Joanna Martinez ,Yolanda Martinez, and a son, Joe Nicholas Martinez, all of TX; parents of Carrizo Springs, TX; sisters, Brenda Martinez and husband Brian Hanan of San Antonio, TX, and Lizette Martinez and husband Aaron Perez of Carrizo Springs, TX; brother, Bobby Martinez and wife Martha of TX; in-laws, Doug and Kathy Stofer of Haven, Chuck and Cindy Hargett of Boonville, MO; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, and a twin sister, Joanna Martinez.

Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Saturday, March 31, 2018, at Elliott Chapel, Hutchinson, with Pastor Mark Hornbaker presiding. There will be a parish rosary and funeral mass, with a burial to follow, in Carrizo Springs, TX. Friends may sign his book from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday at Elliott Mortuary and Crematory, Hutchinson.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Joe Martinez Children’s Education Fund, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.