Charles Duane Halpain, 83, of Hutchinson, went to be with his Lord on Friday, July 20, 2018.

He was born December 25, 1934, in the home of his parents, Charles C. and Lorraine V. (Beers) Halpain, in Healdton, OK. Duane’s parents were transferred to Kansas by his father’s employer, Gulf Oil Co., when he was 8. After living in Burrton, Lyons, Chase, and Bushton, he graduated from Bushton Rural High School in 1953. While living near Bushton, Duane met his wife, Elsie Marie Robinson. They were married at First United Methodist Church, Hutchinson, on October 23, 1955. Duane and Elsie were blessed with four lovely daughters: Sheryl Kay, Cynthia Suzanne, Lori Diane, and Stephanie Denise. Elsie passed away August 21, 2012. He met Gretchen Kay Thiesen in 2014 and they were married on June 25, 2016.

Duane graduated from Fort Hays State College with a B.S. degree in Industrial Arts Education in 1957. He taught industrial arts at Esbon Rural High School from 1957-59 and Central Jr. High in Hutchinson from 1959-66. After two years working in retail, Duane returned to teaching at Hutchinson Community College in the fall of 1968, in the Distributive Education field. During this time, he completed his Master’s degree in Education from Emporia State University and did post-graduate studies for a Ph.D. at Kansas State University. In 1989, Duane became Director of Admissions and Records at Hutchinson Community College, a position he held until 1993. In the fall of 1993, Duane became Supervisor of Registration at Southwest Missouri State University, a position he held until the spring of 1996, when he left education to work at Silver Dollar City near Branson, MO.

Duane was preceded in death by: his parents; wife, Elsie, of 56 years; and a grandson, Joshua Alan Goertz.

He is survived by: wife, Gretchen, of the home; daughters, Sheryl Goertz, Hutchinson, Cindy Posten and husband Phil, Topeka, Lori Klassen and husband Ramon, Inman, Stephanie Rempe and husband Jerry, Hutchinson; six grandsons, John Posten and wife Angie, Fort Collins, CO, Ryan Klassen of Nashville, TN, David Goertz, Buhler, Matthew Posten, Stevensville, MI, Mitchell Klassen and wife Helena, Inman, and Jarrod Goertz, Hutchinson; sister, Karen Halpain Ninman, Kalispell, MT; and brother-in-law, Dr. Bill J. Robinson and wife Yvette, Kalispell, MT; and nieces and nephews.

Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 25, 2018, at Countryside Baptist Church, 819 W. 30th Ave., Hutchinson, with Pastor Cliff Kirk officiating. Cremation will follow and a private family inurnment will be held at a later date in Eastside Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday at Elliott Mortuary, with the family to greet friends 1 hour prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the church or HCC, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

Maxine Hutton, 98, formerly of Mount Hope, Kansas, and Shell Knob, Missouri, died Friday, July 20, 2018, at Medicalodge, Arkansas City, Kansas. She was born July 1, 1920, in Hutchinson, to Frank R. and Alpha G. (Reese) Blew. She married Kenneth G. Hutton on December 25, 1940.

She was preceded in death by: her husband; parents; brothers, Frankie Lee Blew, Robert Blew, Ross Blew; and sister, Carole Reschke.

Survivors include: son, Steve Hutton and wife Chris of Arkansas City; daughter, Kathy Stallbaumer of Erie, Colorado; four grandchildren, Katie, Lindsay, Courtney, and Ashley; and five great-grandchildren.

Celebration of Life service will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 25, 2018, at Elliott Chapel, Hutchinson. Burial will follow at Bean Memorial Cemetery, Little River. Family visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at Elliott Mortuary. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Call for Help (for children’s school supplies), in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

Mary Ellen Fullmer, 103, of Hutchinson, died Thursday, July 19, 2018, at Hester Care Center, Hutchinson. She was born February 6, 1915, in Kingman, to B.A. and Murphy (Port) Welch.

Mary Ellen graduated from Kingman High School in 1933. She graduated from Christian College in Columbia, Missouri (now Columbia College) and from Kansas University in 1937, with a Bachelor of Art in History. Mary Ellen was a member of Alpha Delta Pi Sorority, Athena Study Club, and an over 50-year member of PEO Chapter D. She loved music and sang in the Chancellor’s Choir while attending KU. Mary Ellen was a member of Park Place Christian Church since 1949. She served in many areas of the church, including Disciple Women’s Fellowship and Chancel Choir.

In 1942, she married Ted W. Fullmer in Rossville, Georgia. He died July 17, 1991.

Mary Ellen is survived by: son, Don Fullmer and wife Susan of Hutchinson; daughter-in-law, Kathalene Fullmer of Mountain Home, AR; grandsons, Theodore Fullmer and Shawn Fullmer; step-grandchildren, Anne Hughes and Rose Lloyd; four step-great-grandchildren; and nieces, Marilyn Watts and Sue Miller.

She was preceded in death by: her parents; an infant son; son, David Fullmer; and brother, Ben Welch.

Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 24, 2018, at Park Place Christian Church, 2600 N. Adams, Hutchinson, with the Reverend Dr. David Dubovich officiating. Private family burial will take place in Walnut Hill Cemetery, Kingman. Friends may sign the book from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday at Elliott Mortuary. The family will greet friends from 9 a.m. until service time on Tuesday. The casket will remain closed.

Memorials may be made to Park Place Christian Church, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

Raymond LeRoy ‘Ray’ Porting, 78, of Hutchinson, died Monday July 16, 2018. He was born May 2, 1940, in Hutchinson, the son of August Rudolf and Goldie Mae (Ray) Porting.

He was a 1958 graduate of Hutchinson High School and a United States Air Force veteran. Ray was an electrician with IBEW Electrician Union, Local #661.  He was married to Darlene Hanson. She died in March 1987.

Surviving are: children, Dwayne and wife Michelle Ryder, Lonnie, all of Hutchinson, Raylene Meadows of Trumbull, Nebraska; brother, Arthur of Colorado; and ten grandchildren.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents and son, Ronnie.

Celebration of Life will be 3 p.m. Friday, July 20, 2018, at Elliott Chapel, Hutchinson, with military rites conducted by McConnell Air Force Honor Guard. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday with the family present from 6 to 7 p.m. at Elliott Mortuary and Crematory. Memorials may be made to the Raymond Porting Memorial Fund, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

Mattie Joan Wambsganss, 86, of Hutchinson, went to be with her Lord on July 14, 2018, at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center. She was born June 22, 1932, in Marion County, the daughter of Leon and Laura (Wait) Winkley.

Joan graduated from Marion High School in 1950. A resident of Hutchinson since 1950, she was a homemaker except for a brief period of time in which she worked as a CNA. Joan was a member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church and was involved in LWML (Lutheran Women’s Missionary League), having served as President.

On July 9, 1950, she married Merton B. Wambsganss in Aulne. He died January 24, 2009.

Joan is survived by: sons, Larry and his wife Bridget, Littleton, CO, and Lee and his wife Denise, Arvada, CO; daughter, Shirley Long, Pueblo, CO; grandchildren, Mandy Johnston and husband Mark, Jamie Wambsganss and wife Rose, Lindsey Gilmartin & husband Dan, and Jennifer Beckett and husband Dan; two great-granddaughters; four great-grandsons; one great-great-granddaughter; one great-great-grandson; and brother, Kenneth Winkley and wife Carol, Hutchinson.

She was preceded in death by: her parents; sister, Ailene Dyche; and brothers, John and Robert.

Funeral will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 18, 2018, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 407 E. 12th Ave., Hutchinson, with the Rev. Henry Blickhahn officiating. Burial will follow in Fairlawn Burial Park, Hutchinson. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Elliott Mortuary.

Memorials are suggested to the church or Hospice of Reno County, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.