HUTCHINSON — Francis E. ‘Gene’ Stambaugh, 83, died April 3, 2012 at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center.

Born Dec. 7, 1928, on a farm in Clear Creek Township, Stafford County, he was the son of Victor and Gladys Glaze Stambaugh. He graduated from Trousdale High School and Kansas State University. On July 13, 1957 he married Carol Tidwell. He became a Christian when he was baptized into Christ along with his wife Carol on July 13, 1968. Gene was a FmHA County Supervisor for 30 years in Syracuse retiring in 1987, then moving to Hutchinson. After retirement he delivered medicine and flowers for Dillons and later for Hutchinson Floral. He and Carol were volunteers for 10 years for Victory in the Valley, Wichita-Hutchinson, visiting cancer patients in the oncology department at the Hutchinson Clinic. He left a legacy of love by his Christ-like example.
Mr. Stambaugh served in the Coast Guard. He was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity.
Survivors include, his wife, Carol; a daughter, Susan Stambaugh of Great Bend; a son, Steve and his wife Amie of Derby; a brother, Jim and his wife Deanna of Belle Plaine; six grandchildren, Taasha Richter Smith and husband Todd of Lenexa, Stesha Richter Rathbun and husband Keith of Garden City, Marisha Richter of Columbus, Ohio, AnnaLeesha Baxter, Addison Baxter, both of Great Bend, and Skyler Stambaugh of Derby; three great-grandchildren, Jett Hudson Smith of Lenexa, Jakobe Richter Rathbun of Garden City and Aniston Taylor Smith of Lenexa.
A memorial service will be at 10 a.m. on Friday at Elliott Chapel, Elliott Mortuary in Hutchinson with Pastor Wayne Pittman officiating. Inurnment will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Farmington cemetery in Macksville. Friends may sign the register book from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. through Thursday at Elliott Mortuary. Memorial gifts may be made to Crossroads Christian Church, or Eastwood Church of Christ, both in care of the mortuary.

Great Bend (Kan) Tribune, April 10, 2012*