Linda K. Burkhart, 67, died on November 1, 2017 at the Pleasant View Nursing Home. She was born on January 22, 1950, in St. John, Kansas, to Archie and Irene (Kincaid) Benton.

Linda completed her high school education from Stafford High School, graduating with the class of 1968. She moved to Dodge City where she was employed by the City of Dodge City for over 20 years. In 1999, Linda relocated to Hutchinson and was an employee for Reno County for eight years.

Her grandchildren brought so much joy to her life. They kept her busy and happy after she retired. Linda will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
Preceding her in death are: her parents; a brother, John Benton; and a nephew, Bill Benton.

Survivors include: a daughter, Nikki (Aaron) Brooks, Hutchinson; two sons, Shawn Benton, Hutchinson and Keith Kubin, Fountain, CO; four grandchildren; and her beloved pug, Jerry.

Memorial Services will be held on Monday, November 6, 2017, at 10 a.m. at Hutchinson Funeral Chapel, 300 E. 30th Ave., Hutchinson, KS 67502.

Graveside inurnment will follow at the Stafford Cemetery, Stafford, KS

Glenda C. Ricksecker, 101, of Hutchinson, died Tuesday, October 31, 2017, at Diversicare of Hutchinson. She was born January 16, 1916, in Hutchinson, to Chester Arthur and Luella (Leslie) Drake.

On July 12, 1936, she married Jack K. Ricksecker at the home of her parents, in rural Sterling. He died September 27, 1986. Glenda is survived by: daughters, GlennaVere Knippel (George) of San Antonio, Texas, Jacelyn K. Willm (James) of Nickerson; grandson, Jeff Knippel (Vickie) of San Antonio, Texas; granddaughters, Kathy Banks (Ron) of Chicago, Illinois, Kelly Arnold (Eric) of Leawood, Shawn Willm of Hutchinson; 11 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and one great-granddaughter.

Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, November 4, 2017, at Nickerson United Methodist Church, 8200 Riverton Road, Nickerson, with Pastor Alan Gager officiating. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery, Hutchinson. Friends may sign the book from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday at Elliott Mortuary. The family will greet friends from 10 a.m. until service time at the church on Saturday.

Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association or Johnson Center for Basic Cancer Research, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

John G. ‘Gil’ Williamson, 80, of Hutchinson, died Tuesday, October 31, 2017, at Brookdale of Hutchinson. He was born February 24, 1937, in Susank, Kansas, to Ivan and Edith (Hanson) Williamson.

Gil graduated from Hoisington High School and served in the National Guard. He worked for Borton for 40 years in the engineering department. Gil enjoyed traveling with his job, bowling, and fishing.

n July 14, 1957, he married Jacquelyn Lee Ripley in Topeka. She died August 1, 2017. They shared 60 years of marriage before her death.
Survivors include: children, Daniel (Tanis) of Smyrna, Georgia, Deborah Baughman (Bryan Knox) of Partridge; brother, Clayton Williamson of Hoisington; sister, Joy Unruh of Kearney, Missouri; grandchildren, Thomas, Joshua, Adam, Mark, Megan, Troy, and Debi; 15 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Ilomay Darner.

Cremation has taken place. Memorial service will be 10 a.m. Saturday, November 4, 2017, at Elliott Chapel, Hutchinson, with Pastor Tom Sheldon officiating. Friends may sign the book from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday at Elliott Mortuary. The family will greet friends from 9 a.m. until service time Saturday at Elliott Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Brookdale of Hutchinson, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

Joan Bellamy, of Hutchinson, passed away on October 30, 2017. Born in 1935, in Hutchinson, Joan leaves behind a distinguished and remarkable career, devoted to counseling and education.

She graduated from K-state in 1957, and started her family quickly thereafter, living in Virginia and La Rochelle, France, with her military husband, Bruce Bellamy. Upon returning to the U.S., Joan was a devoted high school art teacher who loved her students as much as she loved her art. In 1970, she completed her Masters of Educational Psychology at the University of Kansas and incorporated school and peer counseling in her repertoire of services. In 1972, she was instrumental in forming the Mental Health Institute and developed programs to educate students and parents on drug and alcohol abuse for grades K through 12. In addition to her work, Joan and Bruce were actively engaged in theater and the Unitarian Universalist Church in Northern Virginia, where Bruce was working at the Pentagon. While living in New Zealand between 1981 and 1985, Joan completed her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis on substance abuse. She went on to become an expert in her field, both teaching and operating a private practice while living in Texas, Colorado, Idaho and Kansas. While teaching at Hutchinson High School from 1992 to 1999, Joan introduced the widely acclaimed Peer Counseling Program. She traveled extensively with Bruce and lived in Mexico and Peru, while maintaining an active interest in theater and the arts. Joan was liked by everyone she met. With her high cheekbones and big smile, she had a knack for winning people over with her kindness and easy laugh. Halloween was her favorite holiday and the Bellamy’s would throw large parties for guests of all ages. She loved to travel, collect antiques and add color to her wardrobe! Her biggest complaint was she never had enough closet space.

Bruce and Joan are survived by: their four adult children, Port Bellamy, Lise Stewart, Jennifer Bellamy and John Bellamy; two foster sons, Paul Hamilton and John Pearson; and eight grandchildren. Joan’s sense of humor, love for life and deep commitment to animals and the arts will be deeply missed. The family plans to hold a celebration of Joan’s life in the spring.

In memory of Joan, please consider a donation to the Hutchinson Animal Shelter, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

Violetta Mae Elstun, 99, of South Hutchinson, died Monday, October 30, 2017, at Mennonite Friendship Communities, South Hutchinson. She was born June 13, 1918, in Bushton, the daughter of Henry and Eva (Jones) Dean. Violetta was a homemaker.

She was of the Methodist faith and a member of the Red Hat Society, FCE, and EHU.

On February 28, 1955, Violetta married Lee W. Elstun in Littleton, Colorado. He died January 1, 1980. She is survived by: sons, Dwayne Kelsey (Ruth) of Rochester Hills, Michigan, Donald Kelsey (Sandy) of Hutchinson, Richard Kelsey (Shelly) of Kimberling City, Missouri, Robert Kelsey of Stafford; daughters-in-law, Ann Kelsey of South Hutchinson, Rose Kelsey of Ottawa; 13 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; eight great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Violetta was preceded in death by: her parents; daughter, Donna Kelsey; sons, Gene Kelsey, Lloyd Kelsey; great-grandson, Tyler Ewing; sisters, Thora, Dorothy, Ethel, and Pauline; and daughter-in-law, Carol Kelsey.

Funeral service will be 1 p.m. Saturday, November 4, 2017, at Elliott Chapel, with Pastor Eldon Smith officiating. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery, Hutchinson. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, with the family present from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Elliott Mortuary.

Memorials may be made to Mennonite Friendship Communities, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

Grace M. Shultz, 66, died on October 30, 2017 at Hospice House in Hutchinson, KS. She was born on March 6, 1951 in Hutchinson to Roscoe T. Shultz and Charlotte G. (Hagerman) Schultz.

Grace graduated from Hutchinson High School and went to Wichita State University where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Education.   She also attended Friends University where she graduated with her Master’s degree.
She was a substitute teacher from 1974-1975, worked as a 4th grade teacher at  Winans Elementary for 11 years and retired from Faris Elementary in 2008.

Grace was a member of the Teachers Association, and taught and served as president at The Relief Society of Hutchinson, thru her church.

Preceding her in death are her parents; two cousins, Ruthie Stevens and Ralph Hagerman.

Survivors include two children, Sarah (Larry Ford), and Leonard (Angela) Nelson, both of Hutchinson; one sister, Loretta Shultz, Hutchinson, and one brother Melvin (Norma) Shultz, Bartlesville, OK.; nine grandchildren, Leah Nelson, Ashley Ford, Andre Nelson-Harris and Kevon Ford, Malik Ford, Mehki Ford, Elijah Nelson, Mauricio Martinez and Iyle Nelson; numerous nephews, cousins and a niece; and her beloved pets Delilah Lucy and Samson.

Visitation will be held on Friday, November 3, 2017 from 1:00-8:00 p.m. with family greeting guests from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Hutchinson Funeral Chapel.

Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, November 4, 2017 at 1:30 p.m. at Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 518 E. 43rd,  Ave.,  Hutchinson.

Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery, Hutchinson, KS.

Memorials may be made to The American Diabetes Association in c/o Hutchinson Funeral Chapel, 300 E. 30th Ave., Hutchinson, KS 67502

Wayne Alfred Anschutz, 77, of Hutchinson, died Friday, October 27, 2017, at Wesley Medical Center, Wichita. He was born April 22, 1940, in Wilson, the son of Alfred R. and Lena M. (Cook) Anschutz.

Wayne graduated from Dorrance High School. He served in the United States Army from 1963 to 1965. Wayne was a member of Teamsters Local 795 and worked as a warehouseman and forklift operator at Dillon’s Warehouse for 35 years, retiring in 2005. He was an avid fan of the Dallas Cowboys, HCC Men’s Basketball, and the men’s NJCAA basketball tournament. Wayne loved polka music and attending the Czech Festival in Wilson. He was of the Lutheran faith.

On August 5, 1966, Wayne married Carolyn Ann Gaunt in Great Bend. She survives. Other survivors include: daughter, Joy Skinner and husband Rick; son, Loren and wife Michelle; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren, all of Hutchinson; brother, Roland and wife Bert of Bushton; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Cremation has taken place.

Memorial service will be 10 a.m. Monday, November 6, 2017, at Elliott Chapel, with the Reverend Henry Blickhahn officiating. Burial will follow in Eastside Cemetery with Pastor Richard Haley officiating. Military honors will be conducted by the Fort Riley Honor Guard. Friends may sign the book from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday at Elliott Mortuary, with the family to receive friends one hour before service time Monday.

Memorials may be made to the HCC Endowment Association, for the men’s basketball program, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.