Herb Potter, 81, of Hutchinson, passed away Sunday, December 16, 2018, at Wesley Medical Center, Wichita. He was born in Hutchinson to parents, Clarence and Cleo (Crandall) Potter. Herb graduated from Partridge High School and Hutchinson Jr. College. While in Hutchinson, he was employed by Betts Bakery, Acme Paints, Brown Wholesale, Phillips News, and Reffner Sporting Goods. A major activity in those days was coaching youth baseball in Cub Scouts, recreation leagues, and almost ten years with the Hutchinson American Legion team.

Following graduation from Wichita State University in 1970, Herb began a teaching career at Park Hill High School in suburban north Kansas City, MO. He taught English there for 25 years and was involved in department leadership, the local and state National Education Association, staff development, and served as head cross-country and track & field coach. He always relished the fields of educating young people.

Herb earned an M.A. degree from Central Missouri State University in 1977 and did extensive further graduate study at UMKC, CMSU, NWMSU, and at Iowa State. After his retirement in 1995, Herb held part-time positions at The Kansas City Star and Quest Diagnostics. He was always a good sports fan, supporting the Kansas City Royals and the WSU Shockers. He loved books, movies, the theater, classic rock-and-roll, and took great interest in politics as a good liberal. Upon returning to Hutchinson in 2007, Herb enjoyed supporting Blue Dragon sports and hanging out at bookstores, libraries, the Silver Dollar, and Carl’s Bar–generally having a good time.

Survivors include: brother, Louis of Hutchinson; many nieces and nephews, including Jim and Alex Potter of Hutchinson, Bob and Mary Potter of Hutchinson, and Patricia Albrecht and Matt Davis of the Washington D.C. area. A couple of ex-wives and a number of dear ex-girlfriends also probably survive. Brothers, Hal (Nell) and Floyd; sisters, Ruth Singletary and Peggy Garrison (Wes) preceded Herb in death. Cremation has taken place, with inurnment at Memorial Park Cemetery, west of Hutchinson.

“I heard a fly buzz when I died.”

Jean Schutte, 88, McCracken, Kansas, died Friday, December 14, 2018, at her home.

Jean was born April 1, 1930, in Lyon County, Kansas, the daughter of Frank P. and Clara B. (Marak) McCormick. She was a lifelong resident of Rush County, Kansas. A 1947 graduate of Bazine High School, Bazine, Kansas, she was a teller at Citizens State Bank, McCracken, Kansas, immediately upon graduating from high school until her retirement. After her retirement from the bank, she assisted with the accounting at the grain elevator for a time.

She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, St. Mary’s Altar Society, and St. Mary’s Faith Sharing Group, all of McCracken, Kansas. Jean assisted with mass preparations, and especially loved assisting with the decorating of the church for Christmas. Jean loved helping people, and was very active not only in the McCracken community, but in the nearby towns also. She volunteered her time every year to the McCracken Rodeo. She was also a volunteer for the McCracken Pride Committee, the McCracken Fall Festival, and the McCracken City Park Improvement Project. Jean loved and took great pride in her vegetable and flower gardens.

On November 19, 1951, she married August W. “Augie” Schutte at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, McCracken, Kansas. He preceded her in death August 20, 2005.

Survivors include: her son, Jerry L. Schutte (Anne), Tempe, Arizona.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; two brothers, Sylvester P. “Bet” McCormick, and Tom McCormick; and one sister, Alvina Foster Cole.

Visitation will be Tuesday, December 18, 2018, from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, McCracken, Kansas. A vigil service and rosary will be at 7:00 P.M.

Church visitation will be Wednesday, December 19, 2018, from 9:30 A.M. to 10:20 A.M. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, McCracken, Kansas. Funeral service will be Wednesday, December 19, 2018, at 10:30 A.M. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, McCracken, Kansas, with Father Eric Gyamfi officiating. Interment will be in the McCracken City Cemetery, McCracken, Kansas.

In lieu of flowers or plants the family requests memorials to St. Mary’s Heritage, McCracken, Kansas, or the McCracken Public Library, McCracken, Kansas, or American Legion Post 59, McCracken, Kansas. Condolences or remembrances may be left for the family at www.charterfunerals.com/locations/janousek-lacrosse.php. Arrangements were by Janousek Funeral Home, 719 Pine Street, P O Box 550, La Crosse, Kansas 67548, 785/222-2517.

Richard Anthony “Rich” Nagy, 72, of Nickerson, died December 14, 2018, at Wilson Medical Center, Neodesha, KS. He was born September 8, 1946, in Wallingford, CT, to Frank and Mary (Gelo) Nagy.

He retired from Reno County Public Works working in heavy equipment and road maintenance in 2013.  Rich was an avid outdoorsman. He loved hunting, fishing and camping.  Rich was a member of First Southern Baptist Church.

He is survived by: his wife, Madeline Kay Nagy, of Nickerson; sister, Ann Marie Nagy of Wallingford, CT; sons, Richard Nagy Jr. of Wallingford, CT, Shane Nagy of Perryville, AR, Christopher Keck of Windsor, CO; stepson, Chad King of Hutchinson; five grandchildren; one great grandchild; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by: his parents; brother, Frank Nagy; daughter, Lynette ; nephew, Troy Nagy ; and a niece Dana.

Cremation has taken place.  A memorial service will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 18, 2018, at First Southern Baptist Church, 1201 E. 23^rd, with Dr. Roy Jaye officiating.  Memorials may be made to First Southern Baptist Church, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

Bernice J. Winter, 67, of Hutchinson, died Friday, December 14, 2018, at Pleasant Hills, Hutchinson.  She was born September 1, 1951, in Hutchinson, to Joseph and Alta Jean (Fletcher) Michael.

Bernice was involved for numerous years at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church and St. Teresa Catholic Church. She loved to spend time with her family and  close friends. Bernice was a member at St. Teresa Catholic Church.

On December 27, 1980, she married Frank Edward Winter in Hutchinson. He died July 22, 2017.

She is survived by: mother, Jean Smith of Joplin, MO; son, Michael Winter and wife Judi of Hutchinson; granddaughters, Briana and Alysa Winter of Wichita; brother, Joe Dean Michael and wife Theresa of Joplin, MO; sister, Janice Michael of Joplin, MO; sister-in-laws, Carolyn Piken of Hutchinson and Mary Young of Arvada, CO; and nieces and nephews.

Bernice was preceded in death by: her father, Joseph Michael; her husband, Frank Winter; and brother, Danny Michael.

Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 19, 2018, at Elliott Mortuary with Father Michael J. Maybrier officiating. The casket is to remain closed.  Friends may sign the book Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Elliott Mortuary.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice and HomeCare of Reno County or St. Teresa Catholic Church, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

Lois J. Davis-Frey, 88, formerly of Hutchinson, passed away peacefully on December 11, 2018, in Hill City after a long battle with Alzheimer’s . She was born October 14, 1930, in Hays, to Herbert Leo and Mildred Elizabeth (Allen) Robinson.

Lois graduated from Hill City High School in 1948 and Fort Hays State in 1952. For many years Lois was an instrumental music instructor for USD 309.  For those who knew her, her love of music was important to her to the end.  She also was an Assistant Administrator for Mennonite Manor, and helped her son open Bogey’s restaurant.  In retirement she volunteered at the Reno County Food Bank, the Kansas State Fair, RSVP, and Reading Radio.  She was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church.  Lois truly loved her family and friends, living fully, optimistically and always with a sense of humor. She will be deeply missed.

On January 20, 1952, she married James L. Davis. He passed away on December 8, 1984.  On March 13, 1999, she married Charles ‘Charlie’ Frey. He passed on April 26, 2011.

Lois is survived by: sisters, Janice Legere of Hill City, Carol Ablah and husband Amil of Wichita; sons, Craig Davis and wife Donna of Hutchinson, Terry Davis and wife Sheila of Wichita; daughter, Jill Davis of Broomfield, Colorado; stepchildren, Dennis Frey, David Frey and wife Debra, Daniel Frey and wife Annette, Diana Bird and husband Robin, Dorothy Kempf and husband Gary; grandchildren, Seth Davis and wife Jodi, Jennifer Harp and husband Larry, Tyler Davis and Jordan Mendez, Casey Davis and husband Joel, Codey Davis, Jake Campbell, Rachael Campbell, Davis DiGregorio, Emily DiGregorio; eight great-grandchildren; nine step-grandchildren; nine step-great-grandchildren; and many dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Rita Stricklin.

Cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Life service will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Reno County Food Bank or Alzheimer’s Association, in care of Elliot Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.