HUTCHINSON — Elden M. Dutschmann, 85, died Jan. 17 at Promise Regional Medical Center, Hutchinson. He was born May 20, 1925, the son of Paul C. and Dora Ida Schultz Dutschmann. A World War II veteran, he was a staff sergeant with the U.S. Air Force, where he received a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star.

He was a member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, the American Legion Lysle Rishel Post No. 68, Hutchinson, and the VFW No. 6240 in Russell.

A Hutchinson resident since 1958, he retired from Winchester Packing and Lawrence Vending.

On May 8, 1948, he married Corinne W. Nuss in McAllen, Texas. She died Nov. 29, 2007.

Survivors include a son, Richard Dutschmann and wife Leticia of Mission, Texas; two daughters, Lynda Koehn and husband Shannon of Hutchinson, and Dora Dutschmann of Wichita; three sisters, Goldie Dutschmann of Houston, Texas, Alice Paulos of Milwaukee, Wisc., and Betty Sue VanHorn of Bellevue, Texas; four grandchildren, Josh P. Koehn and wife Kelly, Jana C. Koehn, Corinna J. Dutschmann and Kimberlly M. Dutschmann; and one great-grandson, Josiah W. Koehn. He was preceded in death by his wife, brother, David Dutschmann, and two sisters, Joyce Buck and Elaine Kurz.

Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Friday at Elliott Chapel in Hutchinson, with Pastor Luke Helmuth presiding. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, with family to receive friends from 6-8 p.m., at Elliott Chapel. Burial will be in Fairlawn Burial Park. Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association or the American Cancer Society in care of the mortuary. Visit www.elliottmortuary.com to leave a personal message for the family.