The Reverend Jeff ‘Tuffy’ Davis Jr., 88, of Hutchinson, died September 8, 2018, at Hospice House, Hutchinson. He was born August 5, 1930, in Jasper, Texas, to Joseph M. and Margaret (Humphreys) Davis.

Jeff worked at Consolidated Manufacturing as a machinist. After retirement, he opened Davis Lawn Mower Repair, which he operated until May 2018. Jeff’s passion was working on anything in his shop, from cars to lawn mowers. He served in the United States Army from June 20, 1952 to November 1, 1965.

On September 27, 1963, he married Maria Väth in Freiburg, Germany.  Jeff is survived by: his wife of almost 55 years, Maria of Hutchinson; daughter, Anja Hightower (Brett) of Manhattan, Kansas; brother, Jay Davis (Jo) of Hutchinson; sisters, Alice Kuehn (Bill) of Idaho, Wendy Braden of Texas; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by: his parents; sister, Estelle Williams; brothers, Jimmy Kinney and Johnnie Kinney; and stepsister, Josephine Healey.

Cremation has taken place. Memorial service will be 10 a.m. Saturday, September 15, 2018, at Elliott Chapel, Hutchinson, with Pastor Betty Pinkston 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 Friday at Elliott Mortuary.

Memorials may be made to the Reverend Jeff Davis Jr. Memorial Fund, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

Douglas Duwayne ‘Bud’ Kretzer, 84, of Hutchinson, died September 8, 2018, at his home after a courageous battle with esophageal cancer. He was born November 10, 1933, in Gypsum, the son of Oscar LeRoy and Gladys May (Hoffman) Kretzer.

Doug graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1952, where he enjoyed football, wrestling and track. He played linebacker and right guard and was named Lineman of the Week in the Hutchinson News on several occasions and was selected first team all-state. Doug also received numerous medals for shot put, discus and javelin. He continued his football career at Hutchinson Community College, where he was co-captain of the football team both years, and again received statewide recognition. Doug also threw shot put at HCC and received several medals. He graduated from HCC in 1954 and played in 13 alumni games until back surgery sidelined him. In 1957, Doug graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in electrical engineering.

While at KSU, Doug enjoyed flying his Piper Cub all over the United States working for his father’s electrical company. He also worked with the International Brotherhood of Electrician’s Local 661 and was proud to complete many projects in and around Hutchinson and across North America. In 1999, Doug retired as Maintenance Supervisor from Hutchinson Correctional Facility. He enjoyed spending time with his family, coaching his daughters’ softball teams, hunting, camping, fishing, traveling and regularly attending HHS and HCC sporting events. He didn’t miss a NJCAA basketball tournament until this past year. Doug was a member of New Covenant Presbyterian Church, where he served as an elder.

On September 9, 1960, he married Veta Belle Hugley in Hutchinson. She died August 13, 2016. Doug is survived by: daughters, Kimberly Neighbor and husband Mark of El Dorado, Kerri Linder and husband Mike of Hutchinson; grandchildren, Kurt Neighbor and wife Amber, Kaycee Neighbor, Morgan Blackim, and John Linder; three great-grandsons, Isaak Neighbor, Lamont Braxton, Garrett Braxton; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Sonny and Bob.

Memorial service will be 10 a.m. Saturday, September 15, 2018, at New Covenant Presbyterian Church, 700 E. 25th, Hutchinson, with the Reverend Craig Waetke officiating. Inurnment will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery, Hutchinson, with military honors conducted by the Kansas National Guard. Friends may sign the book from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, with the family to receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, September 13, 2018, at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson.

Memorial contributions may be made to New Covenant Presbyterian Church or Kindred Hospice, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

Cleo M. Griffith, 97, died Thursday, September 6, 2018, at Hester Care Center, Wesley Towers, Hutchinson. She was born November 20, 1920, to John and Susie (Morley) Hauschild, in rural Rice County.

Cleo attended Nickerson High School. She was a member of Nickerson United Methodist Church and Silver Leaf Order of the Eastern Star.

On March 24, 1940, she married J. Obie Griffith in Nickerson. He died June 6, 2012.
Cleo is survived by: sons, John (Susan) of Hutchinson and Larry (Judy) of Nickerson; grandchildren, Teresa Griffith of Liberty, MO, Troy Griffith (Kim) of Olympia, WA, Jeff Griffith of Nickerson, Brad Griffith (Kim) of Hutchinson, and Karie Ohnmacht (Lance) of Sterling; great-grandchildren, Kaily, Conner, and Braden Griffith, Blake, Lucas and Garrett Griffith, Jaycie and Hudson Ohnmacht.

She was preceded in death by: her parents; husband; brother, Melvin Hauschild; and sister, Helen Gregg.

Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Monday, September 10, 2018, at Elliott Mortuary, with Pastor Alan Gager officiating. Friends may sign the book from 1 to 8 p.m. Sunday, with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m. at Elliott Mortuary.

Memorials may be made to Nickerson United Methodist Church or Hospice and HomeCare of Reno County, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

Scott Edward Kafka, 64, died September 5, 2018, at Harry Hynes Hospice, Wichita. He was born January 11, 1954, in Hutchinson, to Edward Dean Kafka and Donna (McCoy) Kafka Young.

Scott received his A&P license and was an aircraft mechanic for Bombardier/Learjet. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and water sports. Scott was a member of Central Christian Church, Wichita.

Scott is survived by: son, Preston Parker Elliott of Grand Junction, Colorado; mother, Donna Young of Hutchinson; brother, Robert Kafka of Wichita; sister, Kristine Regier (Dennis) of Hutchinson; stepmom, Pat Kafka of Hutchinson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by: his father; brother, James Kafka; stepdad, Bob Young; and great-niece, Brooklyn Paige Regier.

Cremation has taken place. Private family inurnment will be held at a later date in Memorial Park Cemetery, Hutchinson.

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

Marilyn Joan Jensen, 85, died September 2, 2018. She was born in Abbyville, to George and Eva (Feese) Milburn.

Marilyn graduated from Abbyville High School in 1951. Survivors are sister-in-law, Verna Milburn, Hutchinson and loving nieces and nephews.

Private graveside service will be held. Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson is in charge of arrangements.