ELLINWOOD — John R. Hatcher, age 87 years, longtime Ellinwood, Kan. resident, passed away on Thursday morning, Feb. 27, 2020 at the Ellinwood District Hospital in Ellinwood. John was born on July 4, 1932 at Florence, Kan. to Oden and Ruth (Bridge) Hatcher. The family moved to Ellinwood in 1941 and John graduated from Ellinwood High School in 1950. He was united in marriage to Donna Lange on July 7, 1957 at Ellinwood, Kan.  John worked for Republic Supply in Ellinwood for a number of years and later worked for Kaiser-Francis Gas and Oil Company for 30 years, retiring in 1992. He was an avid golfer, and has been a member of Grove Park Golf Club for many years. John enjoyed fishing, being a rockhound, and dearly loved to travel with his wife, Donna – the two of them having visited over 50 different cities world-wide on cruises after he retired. He was a member of Immanuel United Church of Christ in Ellinwood.

Survivors include two daughters, Tracy (and her husband, Raymond) Rome of Ellinwood, Kan. and Jan (and her husband, Richard) Petz of Denver, Colo.; two grandsons, Christopher “Topher” Rome and Andrew Rome; nieces and nephews. John was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Donna on Jan. 30, 2013; one son Gregg Hatcher in infancy; one infant granddaughter Elise Petz; six brothers; and two sisters.  

Cremation has been chosen and a private family inurnment will be held at a later date. Online condolences may be left for the family and a complete obituary notice may be viewed at http://www.charterfunerals.com/locations/great-bend.php.

Funeral arrangments provided by

Charter Funerals

2115 Washington St.

Great Bend, KS  67530

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, March 1, 2020