HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Vernen L. Colvard, 83, of Hutchinson, died July 23, 2017, at Hospice House, Hutchinson. He was born July 10, 1934, in Arlington to Charles L. and Velma (Cole) Colvard.

Vernen served in the United States Army. He loved gardening, especially growing peppers, tomatoes, and cucumbers.

On December 22, 1962, he married Mary E. Frank in Hutchinson. She died October 30, 2011. He later married Rachel (Mosqueda) Gonzalez on December 31, 2013. She survives.  Vernen is survived by: wife, Rachel, of the home; children, Catherine Jackson of Berthoud, CO, Joyce Thompson of Lenexa, Richard Colvard (Lorilea Myers) of Hutchinson; siblings, Ed Colvard, Iona Applegate, Louise Faye, Mary Shoemaker; two grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by: his parents; son, Leonal James Colvard; sisters, Naomi Wedel, and Martha Loughridge Theil.

Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Monday, July 31, 2017, at Elliott Chapel, with Pastor Larry Wedel officiating. Burial will follow in Fairlawn Burial Park, Hutchinson. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday with family to receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson.

Memorials may be made to Hospice House, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

DENTON, Texas — Kenneth R. ‘Ken’ Hoover, 71, formerly of Hutchinson, died July 19, 2017, at his home in Denton, Texas. He was born September 11, 1945, in Oxnard, California, to George and Violet Rosella (Atwood) Hoover.

Ken graduated from Stafford High School in 1963. He worked as an engineer for Far-Mar-Co in Hutchinson, before retiring from management with the FDIC in Texas.

Survivors include: sons, Troy and wife, Lesa of Hutchinson, Jeff and wife, Michelle of Trophy Club, Texas; sister, Beverly Tippie and husband, Dennis of Hutchinson; brother, Steve Hoover and wife, Brenda of Bentonville, Arkansas; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorial service will be 10 a.m. Thursday, July 27, 2017, at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson, with Chaplain Chad Trunkhill officiating. Private family inurnment will take place in Memorial Park Cemetery, Hutchinson. Friends may call from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday and from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday. The family will greet friends from 9 a.m. until service time Thursday, at Elliott Mortuary. Memorials may be made to the Pecan Baptist Church in Granbury, Texas, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, Kansas 67501.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Phillip W. Stafford, 54, of Hutchinson, died July 23, 2017, at Hospice House, Hutchinson. He was born Sept. 4, 1962, in Hutchinson, the son of Pastor Willard D. & Mary Ann (Woolbright) Stafford. Phillip was a 1980 graduate of Hutchinson High School, a member of Temple Baptist Church and a professional musician.

Phillip was the bass vocalist and guitarist for Sons of Thunder. He was a founding member and vocalist for the vocal band Like One Mind.
His musical abilities greatly enhanced the success of both groups, and he contributed to two albums produced by both groups.

He is survived by: his parents; son, Nathan and wife, Ayasha of South Hutchinson; brother, Matt and wife, Becky of Hutchinson; sister, Deanna Demory and husband, Randy of Charleston, SC; two nephews; and three nieces.

Funeral service will be 10 a.m., Thursday, July 27, 2017, at First Congregational Church, 3410 N. Plum, with Pastor Matt Stafford officiating. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, with the family to receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Elliott Chapel. Burial will be in the Fairlawn Burial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Hutchinson Animal Shelter, c/o Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, 67501.

GREAT BEND, Kan. — Paul Barragan, 79, of Great Bend, died July 19 in Hutchinson at the Hutchinson Hospice House. Memorial Service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 29, at the First Southern Baptist Church in Pratt. Memorial Donations may be sent to Hospice and Homecare of Reno County.