Joan ‘Jo’ Easter, 86, of Hutchinson, died December 20, 2018, at Brookdale of Hutchinson. She was born February 24, 1932, in Hutchinson, to John and Lulu Rebecca (Bolton) Scheurman. Jo graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1950. She retired from the catalog department at Sears and was a member of Tenth Avenue United Methodist Church.

On October 1, 1950, she married Everett Curtis ‘Curt’ Easter in Hutchinson. He died September 23, 1986.

Jo is survived by: sons, Brad and wife Jane of Hutchinson, Jeff and wife Jill of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; grandchildren, Erin Ellis (Jake), Sarah Rodriguez (Bryan), Jacob Easter (Ashley), Jennilee Park (Kyle), Julia Easter (Tucker Smith); and eight great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by: her parents; sister, Christine Swafford; and stepfather, Walter Ratzlaff.

Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, December 27, 2018, at Elliott Chapel, with Pastor Matt Stafford officiating. Burial will follow in Fairlawn Burial Park, Hutchinson. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m. at Elliott Mortuary. The casket will remain closed. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Reno County or the Hutchinson Public Library, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

Martin H. ‘Marty’ Zink II, 82, died Thursday, December 20, 2018, at his home. He was born November 26, 1936, in Detroit, Michigan, to Harold ‘Tony’ and Margarita ‘Rita’ (Leamy) Zink.

Marty attended high school in Barstow, CA.  He enjoyed art, calligraphy, and was an avid golfer. He proudly served in the Air Force. After leaving the Air Force, Marty worked for Blue Cross and Blue Shield when he first moved to Hutchinson. He then worked in sales for Kaiser Aluminum, Collins Industries (now known as Collins Bus Corporation), Master Machine Tools Inc. The last few years, Marty owned his own business and was an industrial machinery manufacture representative. He was a member of American Legion Lysle Rishel Post # 68 and Trinity United Methodist Church.

On August 13, 1962, Marty married Hazel Athon in Topeka. She survives.

Other survivors include: daughter, Angela Kathleen Daniel and husband Jim of Oxnard, CA; sons, Andrew Christopher Zink of Kansas City, MO, and Martin Henry ‘Tony’ Zink and wife Toni of Overland Park, KS; brother, Roger Zink and wife Dorothy of University City, TX; sister, Andrea Gilio of Long Beach, CA; and grandsons, Nolan and Maxwell Daniel of Oxnard, CA, and Henry and Jack Zink of Overland Park, KS.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Virginia Beasley.

Cremation has taken place. Memorial service will be 1:00 p.m. Saturday, December 29, 2018, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 1602 N. Main, with the Reverend Dr. Kim Biery and Pastor Tim Carey officiating. Inurnment will take place in Trinity United Methodist Church Columbarium. Friends may sign the book from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday through Friday at Elliott Mortuary.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church or Emanuel Lutheran Church, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

Eddie L. Neufeld, 85, of Hutchinson, died December 18, 2018, at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center. He was born November 6, 1933, in Hutchinson, to Ed and Josephine (Wright) Neufeld.

Eddie graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1952 and attended Hutchinson Junior College. He served in the United States Navy from June 20, 1953 to June 10, 1955. Eddie worked as a salesman at Winchester Packing Company for 32 years and retired from F & A Food Sales after 10 years of service. He enjoyed traveling with his wife, Alice, in their motor home and camper. Eddie was a member of South Hutchinson United Methodist Church.

On August 27, 1953, he married Alice M. Brown in Hutchinson. Eddie is survived by: his wife of 65 years, Alice of the home; daughter, Jo Matzes of Lake St. Louis, Missouri; sons, Larry Neufeld (Kathy) of Augusta, Gary Neufeld (Chris) of Salina, Jerry Neufeld (Debbie) of Justiceburg, Texas; sisters, Linda Branson, Joyce Juhnke; half-brother, Rod Neufeld; stepmother, Elanor Neufeld of Hutchinson; stepbrother, Rick Sands; grandchildren, Craig Matzes, Brett Matzes, Trey Matzes, Drew Matzes, Clayton Neufeld, Brian Neufeld, Ryan Neufeld, Emily Neufeld; and great-grandchildren, Austin, Madison, Amelia, William, Chloe, and Nora. He was preceded in death by: his parents; son-in-law, Al Matzes; brothers, Jerry Neufeld, Richard Neufeld; and stepsister, Pam Hughes.

Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Friday, December 21, 2018, at South Hutchinson United Methodist Church, 206 East Avenue E, South Hutchinson, with the Reverend Claire Gadberry officiating. Burial will follow in Fairlawn Burial Park, Hutchinson, with military honors conducted by the United States Navy Honor Guard. Friends may call from 1 to 8 p.m. Thursday, with the family present from 5 to 7 p.m., at Elliott Mortuary.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Kansas Honor Flight, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

Jimmy Ray ‘Jim’ Crank, 53, of Hutchinson, died December 18, 2018, at Hospice House, Hutchinson. He was born December 21, 1964, in Hutchinson, the son of Joe and Linda (Cole) Crank.

Jim graduated from Nickerson High School in 1983 and attended Vo-Tech school in Salina. He worked for over 20 years at Conklin Cars as a buyer and service writer before spending the last ten years working at Pfizer Pharmaceuticals in McPherson. Jim enjoyed playing softball and riding motorcycles and was a member of the Prairie Pups Motorcycle Club. But above all, he was passionate about his relationship with Jesus Christ and attended Grace Bible Church, Hutchinson.

On August 12, 2006, Jim married Stacy Barth in Buffalo, Oklahoma. She survives. Also surviving are: sister, Krista Parsons, Sterling; stepparents, Richard and Judy Parsons, Hutchinson; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Jim and Nancy Barth, Buffalo, OK; stepbrother, Troy Smith (Jill), Andover; stepsister, Tandi Smith, Wichita; sisters-in-law, Shannon Lawrence (Ty), Canyon, TX, and Brandy Biehler (Roger), Ashland; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins; and a whole host of friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Tim Parsons.

A Celebration of Life, and Jim’s birthday in Heaven, will be 1:30 p.m. Friday, December 21, 2018, at Grace Bible Church, 1221 E. 33rd Ave., Hutchinson. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery, Hutchinson. Friends may call from 1 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., with family present from 5:30 -7:30 p.m., Thursday at Elliott Mortuary.

Memorials are suggested to the Jim Crank Memorial Fund, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

Carol Lola Bridgess, 89, of Hutchinson, died December 17, 2018, at Buhler Sunshine Home. She was born March 4, 1929, in Hutchinson, to Delbert and Elsie ‘Maude’ (Wyman) Ging.

Carol was a 1951 graduate of Grace Hospital School of Nursing and worked as a registered nurse at both the Hutchinson Hospital and Hutchinson Clinic. She was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, and PEO Chapter HP. Carol was co-founder of Reins of Hope Therapeutic Riding.

On June 3, 1951, she married Walter Eugene ‘Gene’ Bridgess in Hutchinson. Her husband of 67 years, ‘Gene’ survives. Also surviving are: children, Thomas of Hutchinson, Anita Baker and husband Wayne of Falcon, Colorado, and Scott of Pottsboro, Texas; sister, Doris Ramsey and husband Hal of Nickerson; brother, Robert Ging and wife Linda of Santa Fe, New Mexico; honorary daughters, Linda Frazier of Hutchinson and Jane Harder of Haven; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents.

A private family gathering is planned. Memorial gifts may be made to the church or Reins of Hope, in care of Elliott Mortuary and Crematory, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

Ronald ‘Ron’ Franklin Cross died December 16, 2018. A lifetime resident of Hutchinson, graduating from Hutchinson High School in 1953, Ron was also a graduate of Emporia University. He was the son of Albert John ‘Jack’ and Katherine May Moore Cross of Hutchinson.

Ron was associated with Crossroads Bookstore with his wife, Jolene, for 35 years, retiring in 1998.

On December 22, 1961, he married Jolene Warkentin of Inman, Kansas. Ron is survived by: his wife, Jolene; son, John R. Cross and wife Janise; granddaughter, Annamarie Cross; grandson, Patrick James Cross, all of Middletown, New Jersey; niece, Karen Ewart of Casper, Wyoming, Carla Brewster of Dublin, California; sisters-in-law, Glennis B. ‘Nan’ Nemcovsky of Hutchinson, Darlene Siebel and husband Wallace of Wichita, Carolyn Warkentin of North Liberty, Iowa. He was preceded in death by: his parents; two brothers, Jack Bernard Cross, Stanley James Cross; and two sisters, Virginia May Kemp and Catherine May Alexander.

A private family service will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the donor’s choice, Hutchinson Public Library, or Trinity Catholic High School Library, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

Linda Buck-Lower, 78, passed away at her home, in Hutchinson, on December 15, 2018. She was born May 12, 1940, in Kansas City, Kansas.

Linda grew up in Herington, Kansas under the guidance of her loving grandparents, Maggie and John Bernhart. She also spent time in Liberal and Sublette, before settling in Hutchinson with her husband, Jack Lower.

Linda’s gift in life was being a loving mother to Brad, Jana, and Scott. She was a special mother who provided them with the foundation they needed to start their lives and raise their children.

Linda is survived by her husband, Jack Lower of Hutchinson and her children, stepchildren, grandchildren, and sisters.

A private service and burial will be held. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.