Debra Mae Walden, 62, of Hutchinson, died December 12, 2018, at Hospice House, Hutchinson. She was born January 5, 1956, in Hutchinson, to Claude Hartford ‘Toad’ and Katie Louise (Glenn) Mahoney.

Debra worked as a housekeeping/surgery instrument tech for 15 years and as a custodian at Hutchinson Community College 28 years. Debra volunteered for RSVP and was a member of Riverside Baptist Church, Hutchinson.

On March 21, 1975, she married Myrle Edward ‘Eddie’ Walden in Hutchinson. Debra is survived by: her husband of almost 44 years, Eddie of the home; daughter, Barbra Engstrom and husband Scott; son, Stephen Walden and wife Lorena, all of Hutchinson; and grandchildren, Wyatt Walden, Caden Engstrom, Zavia Walden, Kendrick Dean, Micah Engstrom, Khloe Poparider, River Walden, and Darian Garrett. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Monday, December 17, 2018, at Elliott Chapel, Hutchinson, with Pastor Richard Haley officiating. Burial will follow in Fairlawn Burial Park, Hutchinson. Friends may call from 12 to 5 p.m. Saturday and 12 to 8 p.m., with the family present from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Elliott Mortuary.

Memorials may be made to the church, Cancer Council of Reno County, or the Hutchinson Animal Shelter, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

Verna Elaine Pitts, 76, died December 11, 2018, at Hospice House, Hutchinson. She was born August 2, 1942, in Booker, TX, the daughter of Chester A. and Vera E. (Green) Pitts.

Verna graduated from Booker High School in 1960. She was a retired bookkeeper for Orrin’s Pittstop in South Hutchinson and volunteer groundskeeper at Camp Quaker Haven, Arkansas City. Verna was a member of Hutchinson Friends Church, where she was the church pianist for many years, and also attended Arkansas City Friends Church and played the piano there.

On June 12, 1960, she married Orrin Lee Pitts in Booker, TX. He survives. Also surviving are: son, Quintin Pitts (Kim), Dallas, TX; daughters, Traci Isaacson (Bruce), Buhler, Elaine Pitts (Kathy), Wichita; grandchildren, LaDonna, Renee, Brendan (Steph), Cassandra; ten great-grandchildren; brother, Daryl Pitts (Gloria), Boerne, TX; sisters-in-law, Jeanne Pitts, Hesston; Phyllis Pitts, El Dorado; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by: her parents; brothers, Verlin, Aldean (Marilyn), Jim, and Ron Pitts.

Funeral service will be 1 p.m. Saturday, December 15, 2018, at Hutchinson Friends Church, 1200 E. 14^th Ave. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery and a reception will be held at the church following. Friends may call from 1 to 8 p.m. Thursday and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at Elliott Mortuary.

Memorials are suggested to Camp Quaker Haven, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

Bob Graber, 79, of Hutchinson, died December 10, 2018, at his home. He was born September 8, 1939, in Pretty Prairie, to Ervin P. and Helen Ruth (Goering) Graber.

Bob graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1957. He served in the United States Army from 1958 to 1960. Bob retired as District Manager for Dillons after 48 years of service. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Hutchinson.

On August 17, 1958, he married Janice Lucille Dessenberger in Hutchinson. Bob is survived by: his wife of 60 years, Janice of the home; sons, Mike Graber and wife Marsha of Plano, Texas, Bryan Graber and wife Jennifer of Carlsbad, California; daughter, Debbie Graber of Peoria, Arizona; sister, Donna Neese of Norman, Oklahoma; grandchildren, Ryan Graber and wife Laikin of Chicago, Illinois, Steven Graber of Frisco, Texas, Nicole Graber, Elizabeth Graber of Carlsbad, California; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral service will be 1:30 p.m. Saturday, December 15, 2018, at Elliott Chapel, Hutchinson, with the Reverend Mark H. Miller officiating. Burial will follow in Fairlawn Burial Park, Hutchinson. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, with the family present from 5 to 7 p.m. at Elliott Mortuary.

Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church or the American Heart Association, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

Connie Jean Henson Grissom, 64, passed away December 2, 2018, at her home in Hutchinson, Kansas.

The daughter of Harry D. Henson and Frances Eleanor Lambert Henson, she was born October 1, 1954, at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Hutchinson, Kansas.

Survivors include: one son, Terry D. Kelley; two daughters, Stephanie J. Kelly Struble and Valentine M. Grissom; seven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

Cremation has taken place and a Celebration Gathering will be held at a later date.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Connie Jean Henson Grissom memorial fund and left in care of Old Mission-Heritage Funeral Home, 528 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS.

Thomas Eugene ‘Tom’ Zeller, 78, of Hutchinson, died December 10, 2018, at Hospice House, Hutchinson. He was born August 2, 1940, in Paxico, the son of Dominic C. and Geraldine C. (Freeby) Zeller.

Tom graduated from Paxico High School in 1958 and electronic technical school in 1960. He worked as an electrical system protection supervisor for Westar Energy for nearly 40 years. Tom was a member of IBEW Local 304, Church of the Holy Cross and Knights of Columbus Council 7279. On May 28, 1960, he married Sharon A. Hesse in Paxico. She survives.

Also surviving are: sons, Michael (Christine) of Hutchinson, Edwin (Julie) of Inman, Christopher (Susie) of Windom, Gregory (Jenny) of Sterling; daughters, Julie Koenig (Karl) and Jennifer Zeller, all of Topeka; 18 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; brothers, Ray (Alice) of Mayetta, Daryl (Donna) of Bartlesville, OK, Jack of Topeka, Ken (Jane) of Fort Calhoun, NE, David of Meade; sisters, Karen Honan of Vernon, CT, and Trudy Palenske of Angel Fire, NM; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents.

Parish rosary will be 7 p.m. Thursday, December 13, 2018, with Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. Friday, December 14, 2018, both at Church of the Holy Cross, 2631 Independence Rd., Hutchinson. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery, Hutchinson. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday at Elliott Mortuary. The family will receive friends following the rosary at the church.  Memorials are suggested to the church or Knights of Columbus Council 7279, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.