Larry D. Gardner, 68, died August 6, 2018. He was born July 27, 1950, in Hutchinson, the son of John B. and Leona I. (Reinke) Gardner.

Larry graduated from Fairfield High School in 1968, Hutchinson Community College in 1970, and Fort Hays State University in 1972, where he majored in math. He was also on the tennis teams at HCC and FHSU. Larry worked for several farmers in the Plevna area, as well as road maintenance for Plevna township.

Larry is survived by: sister, Helen Smith (Bill), Newton; nephews, Barry Smith (Mara), Casper, WY, and Brent Smith (Sara), Glenpool, OK; and great-nephews, Konrad and Oskar Smith. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Cremation has taken place and a graveside service will take place at a later date in Memorial Park Cemetery. Friends may sign the book from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today through next Wednesday at Elliott Mortuary.

Memorials are suggested to Plevna Community Bible Church, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

Fred Alonzo Sr., 93, of Hutchinson, died August 6, 2018, at Pleasant View Home, Inman. He was born January 21, 1925, in Hutchinson, the son of Dario and Teofila (Castor) Alonzo.

Fred was a member of St. Teresa Catholic Church for over 40 years, and United States Army World War II veteran, serving in several major campaigns in Europe. He was a welder by trade and worked in many other positions throughout his life, working until 93 years of age. Fred was also an avid golfer.

He was preceded in death by: his parents; four brothers, Don, John, James and Richard Alonzo; and two sisters, Jay Alonzo and Marina Alonzo Davis.
He is survived by: his wife of 72 years, Helen Alonzo of the home; three sons, Fred Jr. (Patricia), Greg (Linda), B.J. Alonzo; and one daughter, Patty Higgins (Jack) all of Hutchinson; seven grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; three brothers, Mike of Hutchinson, Joe of St. Louis, MO, Tony of New York; and one sister, Minnie of Seattle, Washington.

Cremation has taken place. Parish Rosary will be 10 a.m. Monday, August 13, 2018, at St. Teresa Catholic Church, 211 E. 5th, Hutchinson. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:30 a.m. with Father Michael J. Maybrier officiating both services. Burial will follow in Fairlawn Burial Park, Hutchinson. Friends may sign the book from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson.

Memorials may be made to St. Teresa Catholic Church or Hospice of Reno County, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

Jason C. Pennington, 38, of South Hutchinson, passed away suddenly on August 4, 2018, at his home. He was born April 12, 1980.

Jason married his one true love, Holly (O’Hara) Pennington on September 14, 2000. On March 28, 2012, they celebrated the birth of their twin daughters, Joley and Jordyn. He is also survived by: his father; two sisters; and numerous extended family in Canada and the United States.
Jason was preceded in death by his mother, Jackie Pennington.

Cremation has taken place. Memorial service will be 4 p.m. Friday, August 10, 2018, at Journey@South Hutchinson, 808 S. Poplar, South Hutchinson, with Pastor Eric Miller officiating. Friends may sign the book from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday at Elliott Mortuary.

Memorials may be made to the Jason C. Pennington Memorial Fund, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

Jimmie E. ‘Jim’ Sorensen, 57, died August 4, 2018, after a courageous five-year battle with brain cancer. He was born June 26, 1961, in Hutchinson, the son of Jimmie Harold and Evarean ‘Eve’ (McGee) Sorensen.

He was a 1979 graduate of Buhler High School and 1981 graduate of Hutchinson Community College. Jim was a Westminster Township board member and belonged to Teamsters Local #795. He was a farmer/stockman and Dillons warehouseman for over 32 years. Jim attended Turon Community Church.

On July 17, 1982, he married Kimberley Ann Birket in Hutchinson. She survives. Other survivors include: daughters, Becki Gaston and husband Brian of Hohenfels, Germany, Kristin ‘Krissi’ Goetz and husband Mick of Abbyville; mother, Eve; brother, Dean and wife Deb, all of Hutchinson; sister, Deanna Creswell and husband Russ of Atlanta, GA; mother-in-law, Theodorsia F. Birket of South Hutchinson; grandchildren, Levi, Emilee, Abigail and Elizabeth Gaston of Hohenfels, Germany and Lucas, Alexis and Olivia Goetz of Abbyville. Jim was preceded in death by his father and father-in-law, Kenneth Birket.

Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Friday, August 10, 2018, at Elliott Chapel, Hutchinson, with Pastor Steve Gill presiding. Burial will be in Abbyville Cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, with family present from 6 to 8 p.m. at Elliott Mortuary and Crematory, Hutchinson.

Memorial gifts may be made to Hospice of Reno County or Fairfield FFA, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

Steven A. Stofer, 71, died August 4, 2018, in Burlington, KS. He was born April 29, 1947, in Hutchinson, the son of Norman and Idanel (Williams) Stofer.

Steve was a 1965 graduate of Buhler High School and attended Hutchinson Community College. He worked for the Alaska Fish & Game Department and was a wine salesman for AB Sales of Wichita.

He is survived by his sister, Dale Ann Johnson and husband Bob, of Olathe, and five nieces. Steve was preceded in death by his parents, and brother, Bill.

Private family services will be held. Memorials may be made to the Hutchinson Animal Shelter, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

Leonard E. ‘Len’ Railsback, 91, of Hutchinson, died Thursday, August 2, 2018, at his home. He was born April 16, 1927, in Lewis, Iowa, to Earnest Arthur and Mabel Marie (Bickett) Railsback.

Leonard graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1944, went to work for the Hutchinson News and then entered the United States Army, where he served in the European Theater from June of 1945 to November of 1946. During the Army, Len worked as the district manager for the Stars and Stripes Newspaper. Upon his return he went back to the Hutch News where he retired as printer. In addition, Len owned Clown Town/Kiddieland until it’s closing, and was a nationally certified piano tuner. Len rebuilt and restored pianos and organs until he was 75. He volunteered as a train driver for the Hutchinson Zoo, Kansas State Fair, and Underground Vaults and Storage. While working for the Hutchinson News, he volunteered for the ‘Big Brother’ program and was a VA van driver for veterans going to Wichita .
Len was a member of numerous organizations, including Automatic Musical Instruments Collector’s Association (AMICA) at both the local Heart of America and national level, Carousel Organ Association of America (COAA), International Typographical Union (25 plus years). He proudly donated over 18 gallons of blood to the American Red Cross and was an advocate for organ donations. Leonard was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, Hutchinson.

On April 29, 1966, he married Billie Ardene Grant at Trinity United Methodist Church. They shared 52 years of marriage.

Len is survived by: wife, Billie of Hutchinson; son, Tony Railsback (Tammy) of Sterling; daughter, Stephanie Sigler (Bert) of Hutchinson; brother, Larry Railsback of Leavenworth; granddaughter, (who was like a daughter), Gia Unruh (Mike) of Galva; niece, (who was like a sister), Wanda Seaman; 10 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild, with one on the way and his beloved cat Pookie.

He was preceded in death by: his parents; son, Chris Wiens; sisters, Margie and Helen; and brothers, Richard and Ted.

Cremation has taken place. Memorial service will be 2 p.m. Saturday, August 11, 2018, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 17th and Main, with the Reverend Dr. Kim Biery officiating. Military honors will be conducted by Fort Riley Honor Guard.

Friends may sign the book from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at Elliott Mortuary. The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. until service time Saturday at the church. Len’s trailer organ will play in the church’s parking lot during the visitation.
Memorials may be made to the Reno County Museum, Hutchinson Animal Shelter, or Hutchinson Zoo, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.