Rosalie Jean Stewart, 76, of Hutchinson, died August 21, 2018, at Mennonite Friendship Communities, South Hutchinson. She was born March 29, 1942, in Utica, the daughter of Bernerd L. and Stella L. (Donovan) Sculley.

Jean graduated from Beeler High School and Sidney’s Beauty School. She worked for many years in building maintenance for Hutchinson Recreation Commission and then as a nurse’s aide at Sunshine Meadows Retirement Community in Buhler. Jean was a member of Tenth Avenue United Methodist Church and was very actively involved in the life of the church.

On September 17, 1961, she married Jerry M. Stewart in Beeler. They later divorced.

Jean is survived by: son, Sheldon and wife Shaunda of Sterling; granddaughter, Marissa Stewart; and grandson, Braden Stewart.
She was preceded in death by: her parents, ex-husband, two sisters and three brothers.

Graveside service will be 2 p.m. Friday, August 24, 2018, in the Beeler Cemetery, Beeler, KS. Memorial service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, August 25, 2018, at Tenth Avenue United Methodist Church, 300 W. 10th Ave., Hutchinson, with the Rev. Richard Brooks officiating. Friends may sign the book from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday at Elliott Mortuary.

Memorials are suggested to the church or Mennonite Friendship Communities, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

William D. ‘Bill’ Munson, 81, of Hutchinson, died August 15, 2018, at Stormont Vail Hospital, Topeka. He was born August 14, 1937, in Hutchinson, to Edward D. and Lydia (Panning) Munson.

Bill graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1955 and attended Oklahoma University for one year. He was a member of the Naval Reserves and retired from the Air National Guard, after over 30 years of military service. While working at the Air National Guard he was a Senior Master Sergeant who served in the 190th Medical Squadron. Bill also worked for the Kansas Department of Transportation as Head of Beautification for the Bureau of Right Away. Bill was a member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Hutchinson, where he was also baptized and confirmed.

Bill was a loving, devoted brother and friend. He was a companion and mentor, and always saw the best in others. Bill’s death has left a huge void in his family’s life.

Bill is survived by: sister, Lyn Crawford; niece, Lorie Blehm; great-niece, Ella Sophia Blehm, all of Overland Park; and numerous cousins and extended family members. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law, Bill Crawford.

Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, August 25, 2018, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 407 E. 12th, Hutchinson, with Pastor Henry Blickhahn officiating. Military honors will be conducted by the Kansas National Guard. Graveside service will follow at 2 p.m. in Lakin Comanche Cemetery, Ellinwood, with Pastor Kenton Abbott officiating. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, August 24, 2018, with the family present from 5 to 7 p.m. at Elliott Mortuary.

Memorials may be made to the American Legion Lysle Rishel Post #68, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

Nina Lee Reber, 85, of South Hutchinson, died August 19, 2018, at Mennonite Friendship Communities, South Hutchinson.

Nina Lee is survived by: her husband of 63 years, John; children, Michael (Vonnie), Shari Haarer (Phil), Kathy Smith (Jeff); siblings, Mary Ellen Diener (Herman) and David Beachy (Maggie); seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by: her mother, Susie Beachy; father, D.M. Beachy; and siblings, Vernon, Alvin, and Calvin Beachy.

Graveside service will be 9:30 a.m. Friday, August 24, 2018, at Yoder Mennonite Church Cemetery, 3605 E. Longview Road, Yoder. Celebration of Life service will follow at 11 a.m. Friday, August 24, 2018, at Journey@South Hutchinson, 808 S. Poplar, South Hutchinson, with Pastors Howard Wagler and Eric Miller officiating. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday at Elliott Mortuary. The family will greet friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Yoder Fellowship Hall, 3605 E. Longview Road, Yoder.

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

Jack Duane Emel, Jr., 71, of Hutchinson, died August 16, 2018, at the Kansas Soldiers’ Home, Fort Dodge. He was born September 30, 1946, in Hastings, NE, the son of Jack D. and Dori (Adams) Emel, Sr. Jack graduated from Wichita North High School in 1965 and attended Wichita State University for two years before being drafted into the United States Navy in 1967. He was honorably discharged in 1971. Jack began his career as a restaurateur working as a ‘French waiter’ in the Kansas City Men’s Club. His work brought him to Hutchinson, where he was owner, and or, manager of Mr. Steak, Prime Thyme, Samplers, and Applebee’s. Jack was a member of Church of the Holy Cross, Hutchinson.

On August 15, 1983, he married Mary Jean Elpers in Hutchinson. She survives.

Other survivors include: daughters, Kerri Therese Emel (Brandon Sanders) of Lawrence, Gina Marie Emel (Michael Cole) of Hutchinson; grandchildren, Lena Marie Sanders, Olivia Ann Sanders, Elijah Wayne Emel; sister, Bonnie Washburn (Bill) of Wichita; brothers-in-law, Ron Elpers (Becky) of Wichita, David Elpers of Garden Plain; sisters-in-law, Ann Latta (Sam), Shirley Geubelle, both of Wichita; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents.

Parish Rosary will be 7 p.m. Monday, August 20, 2018, at Church of the Holy Cross, 2631 Independence Rd., Hutchinson, led by Father Michael Kerschen. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, August 21, 2018, at Church of the Holy Cross, officiated by Father Aaron Spexarth. Cremation will follow. Friends may call from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, 1 to 8 p.m. Sunday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday at Elliott Mortuary. Memorials are suggested to the church, Trinity Catholic Jr./Sr. High School, Children’s Emergency Shelter Home, or Sexual Assault – Domestic Violence Center, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

Lowell Everett Smith, Jr., 91, died August 14, 2018, at his home in Hutchinson. He was born March 28, 1927, in Norcatur, the son of Lowell E. and Lois E. (Malone) Smith, Sr. Lowell graduated from Ottawa High School in 1945. He served in the United States Navy from 1945 to 1946. Lowell graduated from the University of Kansas in 1954 with a degree in physics. He worked as an aerospace engineer for Hercules Aerospace Company for 38 years, beginning in Lawrence, then in Kenvil, NJ, before retiring in Salt Lake City in 1991.

In 1965, Lowell married Lois D. Nygard. She died May 15, 2006.

He was also preceded in death by: his parents; sisters, Marion Japins, Shea Fantel, and Keli Zell.

He is survived by: daughter, Diane Spore and husband Byron, Newton; grandson, Justin Spore and wife Jessica, Moundridge; granddaughters, Jennifer Young, Newton, Jessica Ray (Micheal), Newton, and Carma Sholander (Teddy Taylor), Wichita; great-grandchildren, Jacey Spore, Jonah Spore, Isobel Young, Jaxson Young, and Aviana Sholander.

Cremation has taken place and there will be a Memorial Gathering from 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday, August 25, at Elliott Chapel, Hutchinson. Friends may sign the book from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday to Friday at Elliott Mortuary. Memorials are suggested to Hutchinson Animal Shelter, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

Vernabelle Louise Sperling, 100, of Hutchinson, died Tuesday, August 14, 2018, at Pleasant View Home, Inman. She was born January 22, 1918, in Roxbury, to Willard and Edith (Lily) Blessing.

She graduated from Inman High School and Grace Hospital School of Nursing as a RN. Vernabelle was a Registed Nurse for Hutchinson Hospital, St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, Grace Hospital and Colorado Springs Children’s Hospital. Vernabelle enjoyed sports and vacations in Colorado. She was a proud member of the First Baptist Church in Hutchinson, Daughters of The American Revolution, Queen Esther Keystone Sunday School Class, Women’s Civic Center and Lea Edgar Circle.

On February 13, 1941, she married Herbert Sperling in McPherson. He died July 14, 1985.

Vernabelle is survived by: daughter, Cynthia Sperling of Hutchinson; sons, Dennis and wife Carole of Salina and Robert and wife Naomi of Henderson, NV; grandchildren, Steve Sperling of Salina and Lisa Sperling of Las Vegas; great-grandchildren, Jenna Sperling, Kaitlynn, and Haley Holman, all of Salina; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by: her brother, Bill Blessing; and sisters; Evelyn Davenport, Madge LacKamp, Cleta Friesen and Dorothy Clark.

Graveside service will be 10 a.m. Monday, August 20, 2018, at North Inman Cemetery, with The Reverend Dennis Ureche officiating. The casket will remain closed. Friends may sign the book from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, First Baptist Church, Pleasant View Home or St. Peter’s United Church of Christ, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.