HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Janice Eileen Lee, 76, of Hutchinson, died July 8, 2017. She was born May 24, 1941, in Newton, the daughter of Arnold and Eileen (Unruh) Spore.

Janice grew up in Newton and on a farm in rural Halstead. She was a graduate of both Halstead High School and Wichita Business College. Following her marriage to Robert, she worked in the Harvey County Clerk’s Office, until the birth of their son. She then was a stay-at-home mom until both boys were in school. Janice worked for a time in the Haven Journal Office and at a Haven nursing home. For 22 years, she worked with the Reno County Educational Cooperative in Hutchinson as a paraprofessional for the gifted, and was a media specialist in the RCEC Office. Her love of life included grandchildren activities, many paintings, flower gardening, live concerts and the daily Cryptogram.

On September 15, 1962, she married Robert Eugene Lee in Halstead. Survivors include: husband, Robert of Hutchinson; two sons, Robert III and wife Kim of Pratt and Richard and wife Julie of Wichita; five grandchildren, Ashton, Blake and Carson of Pratt, Manon and Kyndal of Wichita; sister, Sharon Spore Pepper of Wichita; brother, Byron Spore and wife Dee of Newton; and sister-in-law, Jeanette Emert of Newton and her son, Bill.

Memorial service will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 14, 2017, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 1602 N. Main, Hutchinson, with the Reverend Dr. Kim Biery presiding. Friends may sign her register book from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, with the family present from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Hutchinson Regional Medical Auxiliary or Wichita Symphony Association, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Ashley Lynn Koch, 24, and in utero baby girl, Amara Grace Lynn, died July 7, 2017, in Nashville, TN. She was born December 16, 1992, in Hutchinson, to Timothy L. and Mindy L. (Bennett) Koch.

Ashley graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in Montgomery, AL. Ashley was a server at Red Robin in Columbia, TN.

Ashley is survived by: mother, Mindy Walski and husband Bill of Montgomery, AL; father, Tim Koch and wife Tina of Alden; siblings, Dalton Koch, Hunter Walski, Heather Walski, Peter Walski; two aunts and one uncle.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, John Bennett and Sally Smith, Calvin and Marcelline Koch; and boyfriend, Tre Counts.

Graveside service will be 2 p.m. Saturday, July 15, 2017, at Partridge Cemetery, with Dr. Mark Glover officiating. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at Elliott Mortuary.

Memorials may be made to the Ashley Lynn Koch Memorial Fund, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

SOUTH HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Harland W. ‘Harley’ Wedel, 80, of South Hutchinson, passed away Thursday, July 13, 2017, at Mennonite Friendship Communities. He was born July 29, 1936, in Kingman to Lloyd A. and Anna (Graber) Wedel.

He was raised in Pretty Prairie and was a graduate of Pretty Prairie High School and Wichita Technical Institute. Following a high school courtship, Harland married Donna Schrag on October 27, 1955. They were blessed with 61 years of marriage.

He operated a custom harvesting business for 18 years and farmed at Pretty Prairie and Sylvia. Camping, fishing, woodworking, and traveling with his family were some of his greatest joys. He was also an active member of First Mennonite Church, Hutchinson.

Harland is survived by his loving wife, Donna; daughter, Diane Siemens (Kent) of Lenexa; son, Monte Wedel of Springdale AR; four grandchildren, Lindsey Iles (Blake), Cassie Hawkins (Jarreau), Preston Wedel, Makenzie Wedel; and five great-grandchildren, all residing in the Kansas City area. He was preceded in death by his parents.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, July 17, 2017, at First Mennonite Church, 52 Rambler, Hutchinson, with Pastor Tonya Ramer Wenger presiding. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., with the family to receive friends from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson.

Memorials may be made to First Mennonite Church or Good Shepherd Hospice, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Joyce Mae VanSickle, 96, of Hutchinson, died July 10, 2017, at Hospice House, Hutchinson. She was born June 20, 1921, in Mountain View, Arkansas, the daughter of John Granville and Mary (Burrows) Cross.

Joyce was a seamstress for 38 years for HubCo and attended First Christian Church of South Hutchinson.
On October 13, 1951, Joyce married Vester Von VanSickle in Hutchinson. He died March 11, 2002. Survivors include: children, Don Jones of Hutchinson, Richard Smith of Hutchinson, and Gary VanSickle of South Hutchinson; 11 grandchildren; numerous great and great-great-grandchildren; and sister, Dessie Kidd of Hutchinson. She was preceded in death by her parents, a son and two grandsons.

A graveside service will be held 10 a.m. Friday, July 14, 2017, in Memorial Park Cemetery, Hutchinson, with Pastor Jerry Stokely presiding. Friends may call from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., with the family to receive friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday, at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson.

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

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Ruth Powell, 81, died July 9, 2017, at Hospice House, Hutchinson. She was born January 18, 1936, in Arlington to Stephen ‘Pierce’ and Elsie L. (Fountain) Starks.

Ruth graduated from Arlington High School in 1953 and attended Sterling College. She was a bookkeeper for Stuckey Lumber and H&R Block. Ruth was an actively involved member of First Southern Baptist Church, enjoyed quilting, and taught her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren how to sew. She was known for her delicious rolls and cinnamon rolls. Ruth loved spending time with her family and she will be greatly missed.

Ruth is survived by: daughters, Linda Casto and husband Ken of Topeka, Dana Specht and husband Ed of Glasco, Sharla Powell of Hutchinson; grandchildren, Misty Carreno, Sara Morgan, Shelly Dice, Christopher Cooper, Peter Specht, Nathanael Specht; 11 great-grandchildren; sisters, Jessie Lewis (Sam), Claudia Albright, Juanita Zink (Rick); and brothers, Henry Starks (Mary), Dean Starks (Debbie).
She was preceded in death by: her parents; brother, Dannie Starks; infant daughter, Elaine Ruth Powell; and grandsons, Jeremiah Specht and Caleb Specht.

Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Thursday, July 13, 2017, at First Southern Baptist Church, 1201 E. 23rd, Hutchinson, with Dr. Roy Jaye officiating. Burial will follow in Arlington Cemetery, Arlington. Friends may call from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday, with family to receive friends from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson.

Memorials may be made to First Southern Baptist Church, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Mary Kathryn Lundstrom Hopkins, 83, died July 8, 2017, at Springfield Rehabilitation & HealthCare Center, Springfield, Missouri. She was born October 3, 1933, in Hutchinson, to Morrell Ellsworth and Nola Iona (Edwards) Chambers. Kathryn graduated from Hutchinson High School, Hutchinson Community College, and McPherson College with a degree in Education. She taught school in Ellsworth, McPherson, and Rice Counties for over 20 years and then worked as a clerk in the United States Post Office in Lorraine. Kathryn was a member of First Congregational Church, Hutchinson.

On August 9, 1953, Kathryn married Ted Sheldon Lundstrom in Little River. He died June 4, 1970. On April 3, 1975, she married Leland Lewis Hopkins in Sterling. He died May 13, 2011.

Kathryn was preceded in death by: her parents; brothers, Donald, Gene, Morrell Jr., Robert; daughter-in-law, Cindy Lundstrom; and brother-in-law, Donald Hopkins.

She is survived by: sons, Ted Lundstrom Jr. of Hutchinson, Loren Lundstrom (Linda) of Springfield, MO, Robert Lundstrom (Laura) of Paola; grandchildren, Anna Cowper (Eugene), Katie Inaba (Hiroshi), Emily Lundstrom, Hollie Runcorn (Tyler), Stephanie Lundstrom; 4 great-grandchildren; brother, Vernon Chambers (Deanie) of Linnville, North Carolina; sisters, Laurene Voorhees of Mt. Vernon, Washington, Carol Ratliff (Frank) of Rolla, Missouri; brothers-in-law, Jarold Hopkins (Jan) of Hutchinson, Gary Hopkins (Lola) of Wichita, Richard Hopkins (Rosé) of Phoenix, Arizona; stepson, Ken Schrock (Robin) of Alabama; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral service will be 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 11, 2017, at First Congregational Church, 3410 N. Plum, Hutchinson, with Pastor Matt Stafford officiating. Burial will follow in the Lorraine Cemetery. Friends may call from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson. The family will receive friends 1 hour prior to the service at the church.  Memorials may be made to the church, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.