SOUTH HUTCHINSON — Arlyn LeRoy Lathrop, 83, formerly of Great Bend, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Dec. 5, 2020, at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center. He was born April 27, 1937, in Great Bend, to Roy Alfred and Olinda Augusta (Knop) Lathrop.

Arlyn was a 1955 graduate of Ellinwood High School. He served in the United States Army from 1955 to 1958. Arlyn was self-employed and worked in the floor covering business and farmed. He was an avid reader of Civil War books and stories about Indian wars. Arlyn participated in reenactment performances conducted at the Fort Larned National Historic Site. He loved animals, especially horses and dogs, and collected guns.  Arlyn was a devout Christian, and was deeply involved in the life of the church. If the church was open and had activities on the schedule, more than likely, he and his family were present and participating. Prior to moving to South Hutchinson, he was attending the Heartland Community Church, Great Bend. He was a bonafide handyman who could do anything, but the job that he cherished the most was being a good husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

On Oct. 23, 1955, Arlyn married Constance ‘Connie’ J. Stallings, in Ellinwood. They shared over 65 of years of marriage.

He is survived by his wife, Connie Lathrop of South Hutchinson; children, Mike (Betty) Lathrop of Monet, Mo., Leslye (Walter) Carithers of Hutchinson, Carol (Mark) Pauls of Bloomfield, N.J., and Angela (Jim) Hill of Kansas City, Mo.; grandchildren, Shawn (Amber) Carithers, Chris (Sierra Badley) Carithers, Catie Lathrop, Beth Hill, and Tina Hill; and great-granddaughter, Ava Carithers. Arlyn was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Carol Knupp.

Memorial service will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 1, 2021, at Elliott Mortuary Chapel with Pastor Jerry Stokely officiating. Burial will be 2:30 p.m. Saturday, May 1, 2021, at Pleasantview Cemetery, Claflin. Military honors will be conducted by the Fort Riley Honor Guard. Friends may sign the book from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, April 26, through Friday, April 30, at Elliott Mortuary. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Mennonite Friendship Communities, in care of Elliott Mortuary and Crematory, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Elliott Mortuary and Crematory

1219 N. Main

Hutchinson, KS 67501

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, April 25, 2021