STAFFORD, Kan. — Virgil Warren Bruegger was born October 12, 1923, as the youngest child of Edwin and Mattie (Keys) Bruegger. He died June 2, 2017, at the Leisure Homestead in Stafford.

Virgil was raised in Bushton. He graduated from Bushton High School in 1941. He served in the United States Army from 1943-1946. Virgil was a Cub Scout and Boy Scout for eight years. He was a sharp shooter and won many medals for his archery skills. While in the army, he served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre and spent most of his service time in French Rupert B. C., Canada. He loaded ships as a stevedore. After being honorably discharged, Virgil attended Kansas State University for one year. From 1946-1949, he worked for Vickers Petroleum as a roustabout.

On September 10, 1951, Virgil married Mary E. Chansler of Holyrood, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. From 1949-1969, Virgil worked in the oil field and owned C & B Tank Service. In 1970, they moved to Hutchinson. Virgil retired from Kansas State Industrial Reformatory, after 16 years as a correctional officer.

Virgil was an avid bowler for 20 years and learned to play bridge beginning in 1987. After retiring in Hutchinson, Virgil helped many of his neighbors in Hutchinson by mowing and doing whatever he could to help others. Virgil and Mary were baptized in 1984 and were members of Walnut and Campbell Church of Christ.

In November of 2004, they moved to Nevada, Missouri, to be near their daughter and her husband. Virgil enjoyed fishing, hunting, bowling, working in the yard, flowers, music, playing cards, and his many “grand-dogs.” Virgil was preceded in death by: his parents; wife, Mary; and brothers, Eddie and Wilbur.

He is survived by: his children, Randy Bruegger of Olathe, Steve Bruegger of Overland Park, Virginia Brister of Stafford, Paul Bruegger of Manhattan; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Funeral service will be 1 p.m. Thursday, June 8, 2017, at Elliott Chapel, Hutchinson, with Pastor Kenny Graham officiating. Graveside service will follow at 3 p.m. at Bushton Cemetery, Bushton, with military honors conducted by the Fort Riley Honor Guard. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday at Elliott Mortuary. The family will greet friends from 12 p.m. until service time Thursday at Elliott Mortuary.

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

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Eila Mae Clark, 94, of Hutchinson, died June 2, 2017, at Hospice House.

Eila Mae Riisoe Edman Baringer Clark “Boots” was born at home on May 16, 1923, northwest of Kinsley, and was the first born to Fritz and Louise (Diers) Riisoe. She attended a one-room school in Goldenrod District #37 until the eighth grade and then attended Kinsley High School, graduating in 1941. While in high school, she was a member of the marching band percussion section and played the bells. She was a member of Northern Star 4-H, where she was involved with cooking, sewing, and needlework. Her love of needlework became a lifelong passion and she was a Kansas State Fair ribbon winner many times over. Her fondest memories were those surrounding growing up on the farm and the many hours spent with her father, Fritz. After high school, she attended Salt City Business College in Hutchinson and majored in secretarial skills. She also worked as a housekeeper for George Gano, who was well known in the grain industry.

She was a member of the American Legion from 1945-1950, the Eastern Star (the Mason’s Women’s Auxiliary) from 1947-1952, and a charter and lifetime member of VFW Lodge 7349. She also taught Sunday school for several years while living in Kinsley.

In 2004, she moved from her home of 46 years to Brookdale, where she was a secretary for the housing newsletter for a short time. She also served as deaconess for the First Congregational Church, where she was a member since 1956.

She was preceded in death by her parents and three husbands. Eila is survived by: her children, Larry Eugene Edman of Madison, Wisconsin, Douglas Dale Baringer (Maxine) of Hooker, Oklahoma, Debra Baringer Waldorf of Prairie Village, Belinda Baringer Crockett (Davy) of Valley Center; grandchildren, Donnie Baringer, David Gibbs, Nick Crockett (Amy), Titus Crockett (Deanna), Tyler Waldorf (Will Helling), Paige Waldorf, and Fritz Waldorf; great-grandchildren, Hanna and Addison Crockett, Greyson and Geren Gibbs, and Weston and Connor Crockett; siblings, John J. Riisoe of Kinsley, KS, and Julie Riisoe Ackerman (Kenny) of Offerle, KS; and many nieces and nephews.

She will be missed by all who knew and loved her, for her ability to strike up a conversation with anyone, anywhere, for never forgetting to send a birthday card, and for her sense of humor.

Cremation has taken place. Memorial service will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 7, 2017, at First Congregational Church, 3410 N. Plum, Hutchinson, with Pastor Matt Stafford officiating. Friends may sign the book from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday through Tuesday at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson. The family will greet friends from 9:30 a.m. until service time Wednesday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the church or Hospice House, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — John T. Suter, 70, of Hutchinson, died June 2, 2017. He was born in Harper, Kansas, in 1946, the second oldest of seven to the late Merrill and Mary (McCloskey) Suter.

John graduated from Sacred Heart College in Wichita, Kansas, in 1969, with a degree in business administration. In 1973, he graduated from Washburn University School of Law, and joined the law firm of Hodge, Reynolds, Smith, Peirce & Forker, in Hutchinson, Kan. In 1977, he became partner in the firm, which is now Forker Suter LLC. On August 8, 1970, he married Mary Jean (Stone) who survives of the home. John was an active member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church.

John is survived by: his six siblings, Merle (Martha Anne) of Wichita, Robert (Debra) of Wichita, Vicki (Luther) Talley of Cheney, William (Rebecca) of Florida, Gregory of Wichita, and Thomas (Georgia) of Hutchinson; his nine children, John Christian (Deanna) of Wichita, Jackie Suter (Jeremy Tan) of Hutchinson, Ben (Adriana) of Jacksonville, NC, Liz (Tom) Van Leer of Sedalia, Mo, Dorothy Suter (Josh Doeden) of Wichita, Birdie (David) Robertson of Wichita, Damien of Memphis, Tenn., Dominic of Wichita, Grace of Larned, and her fiancee, Carlos Castaneda; and 20 grandchildren, Noah, Brianna, Samuel, Isaiah, Aidan, Alex, Isaac, Isabelle, Jacqueline, Ezekiel, Faith, Noelle, Mariah, Max, Maggie, Emma Jean, Isidore, Ambrose, Felicity, and Sebastian.

In celebration of John’s life, Parish Rosary will be 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 6, 2017, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 612 S. Poplar, South Hutchinson. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 7, 2017, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 612 S. Poplar, South Hutchinson, with Father Ned J. Blick officiating. Friends may call 9-3 Tuesday at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson.

Memorial donations may be made to Our Lady of Guadalupe or Hereditary Neurological Disease Center, c/o Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS, 67501. And more than anything, to honor John, please “grow in your faith!”

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Tina Bentley Nickels, 53, of Hutchinson, died May 30, 2017. She was born April 14, 1964, in County of Borough of Reading, England, the daughter of Dion and Mary (Makepeace) Bentley.

Tina immigrated to the United States with her family at the age of 13. She served in the United States Army. Tina was a registered nurse at the Hutchinson Correctional Facility.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Francis and May Bentley, and Frederick and Edith Makepeace.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Thomas Lee Gartman, 75, of Hutchinson, died Monday, May 29, 2017, at Via Christi on St. Francis Campus, Wichita. His death followed a brave and determined struggle to survive and continue to be with his wife, Lois.

Tom was born in Austin, TX, on October 30, 1941, the firstborn child of Thomas B. and Mattie Lee Gartman. Tom’s father was a heavy industry carpenter in the oil refining industry. He worked long and hard in a very dangerous environment. Young Tom described his parents as the best people in the world; a loving, diligent father who loved sweet Mattie Lee and his four children.

The family lived and worked in Corpus Christi, TX, during Tom’s elementary and high school years. Tom worked while attending high school and college, leaving school to join the United States Air Force. Tom specialized in radio and communications, serving in Viet Nam, Formosa, Norway, and various bases in the United States during his 13 years of service.

Tom was a 38-year proud member of Alcoholics Anonymous. Throughout his life, Tom quoted the steps of AA and credited the organization with the success of his entire life after he gained sobriety with the help of their members.

Tom’s first marriage was to Genie Doubenmier. He and Genie were married for 22 years until her death. His second marriage was to Patricia Strausburg of Hutchinson. Pat was a widow with a large family and had worked in the aircraft industry and then later became a registered nurse. Pat was a skilled quilter with quilting friends from all over the world. They were happily married for five years until her death in July 2014. In January 2016, Tom met Lois Porter and it was “meant to be” from the start. They married on October 1, 2016. Throughout the eight months of their marriage, Tom and Lois were constantly together, enjoying family and home. During these months, Tom suffered many days of illness and struggle, but was constant in his love and enjoyment of marriage. Tom’s death was a triumph over suffering, as his life was a loving and caring gift for the people he loved. Lois survives.

A memorial service will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 7, 2017, at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson, with Pastor Wayne Pittman presiding. Friends may sign the memorial book from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday through Tuesday at Elliott Mortuary. Memorial contributions may be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Wilma M. Wharton, 83, of Hutchinson, died Monday, May 29, 2017, at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center. She was born December 23, 1933, in Hoxie, the daughter of Donald and Hazel Walden.

She was a 1951 graduate of Hoxie High School and a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, Hutchinson. Wilma was a volunteer at the Hutchinson Hospital gift shop for many years. She was also in bank management, starting with Security-Pacific Bank, Napa Valley, CA, then Central Valley Builders, St. Helena, CA and Bank of America, Fairfield, CA, retiring as a vice-president.

On July 6, 1952, she married John James Wharton. He died February 16, 2009.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a daughter, Susan Pauline Dahlgren.

Graveside service will be 1 p.m. Saturday, June 3, 2017, at Hoxie Cemetery, with Pastor Jake Schadel presiding. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, with family present from 6 to 8 p.m. at Elliott Mortuary and Crematory, Hutchinson.

NICKERSON, Kan. — Brenda Jean Frisbie, 55, of Nickerson, died May 28, 2017. She was born April 9, 1962, in Hutchinson, to Charles and Mildred (Socha) Jenkins. Brenda graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1980. She was a homemaker.

On April 25, 1981, Brenda married Greg Frisbie, in Nickerson. He survives. Other survivors include: sons, Matthew and Jesse, both of Hutchinson; brother, Charles Jenkins (Jane) of Nickerson; sister, Connie Brown of Dallas, Texas; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.  She was preceded in death by her parents.

Cremation has taken place. Memorial service will be 2 p.m. Friday, June 2, 2017, at Nickerson United Methodist Church, 8200 N. Riverton Rd., Nickerson, with the Reverend Melissa Naylor officiating. Friends may sign the memorial book from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson.

Memorials may be made to Autism Speaks or Hutchinson Animal Shelter, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.