OBITUARY FOR – Walter William “Bill” Utech, Jr., 87
W.W. “Bill” Utech, Jr., 87, a lifelong resident of rural Herington, died Friday, March 28th, 2014, at the Herington Municipal Hospital. He was born Sunday, February 13, 1927, on a farm near Herington the son of Walter W. Sr. and Edna Josephine (Granzow) Utech.
Funeral Service will be held at 11:00am, Tuesday, April 1st, 2014, at the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Herington, with Pastor Bill Peterson officiating; burial will follow at the Sunset Hill Cemetery, with military honors. The family will receive friends Monday evening from 7pm until 8pm at the Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home, Herington Chapel. Musicians: Marlyn Diepenbrock, Judy Peterson, & Linda Carlson; songs: In the Garden, On Eagle's Wings, and Because He Lives. Pallbearers: Mike Utech, Mark Utech, Bryn Utech, Todd Utech, Bob Utech, Kevin Kniebel, Chuck Kniebel, Greg Holeman.
Mr. Utech was a farmer and stockman all of his life. He member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church, Herington; and he enjoyed singing in the church choir. He was a past member of the American Legion Post #12. He graduated from Herington High School with the class of 1945.
He served in the Army Air Corps after high school. He was a Sergeant with 902 Engineers, Headquarters Company. He served in the European Theater of Operations, in Germany, for a short time. He received his pilot license for single engine airplane.
Married Helen Verene Ruppel at the Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Herington, on August 26, 1951; she survives of the Home. He is also survived by four (4) sons: Jonathan William (wife-Marlene) of Marion, Jay Daniel of New Cambria, Timothy Alan (wife-Tonya) of Herington, and David Bryan (wife-Linda) of Weatherford, TX; a daughter Susan Katherine Dudley (husband-Phillip) of Osawatomie; eleven (11) grandchildren [Brandon Utech, Alan Utech, Sarah Utech, Alica Vaughn (husband-Nick), Anna Hanson (husband-Joel), Alison Dudley, Tristan Utech (fiance' Jake), Tyson Utech (wife-Nora), Nick Utech, Brooke Utech, Christopher Utech]; and two (2) great-granddaughters (Aria & Kayra). He is also survived by three (3) brothers: Robert Utech of Herington, Paul Utech (wife-Judy) of Lenexa, James Utech (wife-Cheryl) of Junction City, a sister Teresa Staatz (husband-Raymond) of Pipestone, Minn., and a sister-in-law Liz Utech of Herington.
Preceded in death by a brother Ernest Utech, two (2) grandchildren: Jennifer & Bret Utech, a sister-in-law Dixie Utech, and his parents.
Memorials to the St. Paul Lutheran Church or the Dickinson County Home Health & Hospice; and they may be sent in care of the Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home & Crematory, Herington Chapel, 404 S. Broadway, Herington, KS, 67449-3038.