Walter Utech Jr.

Walter William “Bill” Utech Jr., 87, of rural Herington died Friday at Herington Municipal Hospital. He was born Feb. 13, 1927, on a farm near Herington to Walter W. Sr. and Edna Josephine (Granzow) Utech.

He graduated from Herington High School in 1945. He served in the Army Air Corps after high school and served in the European theater for a short time. He received his pilot license for single-engine airplanes. He was a farmer and stockman.

He married Helen Verene Ruppel on Aug. 26, 1951, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Herington.

He is survived by his wife, Helen of the home; four sons, Jonathan William of Marion, Jay Daniel of New Cambria, Timothy Alan of Herington, and David Bryan of Weatherford, Texas; a daughter, Susan Katherine Dudley of Osawatomie; three brothers, Robert Utech of Herington, Paul Utech of Lenexa, and James Utech of Junction City; a sister, Teresa Staatz of Pipestone, Minn.; 11 grandchildren; and 2 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Earnest Utech; and two grandchildren, Jennifer and Bret Utech.

A funeral was Tuesday at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Herington, with Pastor Bill Peterson officiating. Burial with military honors followed at Sunset Hill Cemetery. Visitation was Monday at Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home, Herington Chapel.

Memorial funds have been established with St. Paul Lutheran Church and Dickinson County Home Health & Hospice.