02/20/2008

Notification of Death - John B. Hutchins

February 16, 2008

It is with sadness that OFDA reports John B. Hutchins, 73, past president of NFDA, died Saturday, February 16, 2008, at his residence following a recent illness.

Mr. Hutchins graduated from Kendallville High School in 1952 and Indiana College of Mortuary Science in 1953. He received a B.A. Degree from Hanover College in 1957 majoring in Business and Psychology. He served six years with the U.S. Army Reserve.

John served 55 years in funeral service. In 1958, he joined the family funeral home in Kendallville. In 1973, John purchased the Williams Funeral Home in Wolcottville. As a fifth generation funeral director, he celebrated 125 years of his family's service to the community in 1985. The funeral homes were sold in 1989, with all personnel remaining, including John. In 2006, the funeral homes were sold back to longtime employees Kathy and Pat Young.

John's professional affiliations included membership and serving as past president (1985-86) of the National Funeral Directors Association. He was also member and past president (1972-73) of the Indiana Funeral Directors Association, member of the International Federation of Thanatologists and the Associated Funeral Directors Service. He served as past chairman of the American Board of Funeral Service Education, and received continuing education awards from the Indiana Funeral Directors Association from 1976 through 2007.

He was a member and Elder of the First Presbyterian Church of Kendallville; a 50-year member of the Kendallville Lodge No. 276, F.&A.M.; Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite; The Shrine; past president of the Kendallville United Fund; Kendallville Elks Lodge No. 1194; lifetime member and past president of the Kendallville Rotary Club. During his year of presidency the Kendallville Rotarians were awarded the Outstanding Club Award in District 654. He helped to form the first Interact Club of Rotary for young people in Indiana. He was a past member of the Kendallville Park and Recreation Board; past member of the Noble County Red Cross Board; President of the school board building corporation for North Side and Wayne Center School contructions; past member of the Baseball Commission; board member and past president of Junior Achievement; Vice President of Factory Sites of Kendallville; and chairman of fund raising for the Cole Center YMCA.

John was awarded The Sagamore of the Wabash by the State of Indiana; a Kentucky Colonel by the State of Kentucky; and an Arkansas Traveler by then Governor Bill Clinton. He was awarded a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary.

John was born May 15, 1934, in Kendallville to Myron C. and Beverly (Berhalter) Hutchins. He married Sherrell Jean Harter on September 1, 1956, in Indianapolis.

Surviving are his wife, Sherrell "Sherry" Hutchins of Kendallville; a daughter and son-in-law, Stacia and Edward Stump of Kimmell; a son and daughter-in-law, J. Scott and Tracy Hutchins of Kendallville; six grandchildren, Sheryl and Ben Hawkins of Wolcottville; Ethan Henry of Kendallville; Thomas Henry of Kimmell; Jocelyn Hutchins of Kendallville; Justin and Laura Stump of Columbia City; and Andrew Stump of Wolf Lake; four great grandchildren, Wyatt Petrie-Hawkins, Madison Hawkins, Jeremiah Blake Hawkins, and Jayden Stump; a sister, Jalna J. Lang of Kingwood, Texas; a niece, Leslie Lang; and a nephew Todd Lang.

He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant son, Byron Harter Hutchins.

Visitation will be Wednesday, February 20, 2008, from 4-8 pm, Thursday, February 21, 2008, from 2-8 pm, and one hour prior to services on Friday.

Services will be Friday, February 22, 2008, at 11 am at the Young Family Funeral Home, Kendallville Chapel, 222 South State Street, Kendallville, with Rev. Paul B. Griebel and Rev. Stanley Kessler officiating. Honorary casketbearers will be John Bower, Emmett Lovett, Jack Jollief, Jerry Davis, Tom Burke, John Mulholland, Bob Czupryn, HH Critchfield, Dave Hosler, Darol Stroman, Duane Axel, John Thrapp, Craig Fischer, Glen Cook, Duane Hanes, NFDA and IFDA Past Presidents. Active casketbearers will be Sheryl Hawkins, Ethan Henry, Thomas Henry, Jocelyn Hutchins, Pat Young, Adam Young, Beth Mosley, Hal "Howdy" Schuman, Erica Dekko, and Joe Freed. Burial will be in Lake View Cemetery, Kendallville.

Preferred memorials are to the Noble County Community Foundation.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.youngfamilyfuneralhome.com