Dr. Joel Hutchins 1949-2025
Joel Robert Hutchins, M.D., 75, Holton, passed away peacefully on March 3, 2025, at The Pines in Holton.
Joel was born in Hot Springs, Ark. on July 7, 1949, the son of Robert Harold Hutchins and Aletha Florence Barrow Hutchins.
While the majority of his young life was spent in Germany and Seattle, Wash. (where his father was active duty in the military), fate would bring Joel and his family back to his mother’s hometown of Denison in 1966, where he would finish his high school education. It was during this time that he met his eventual wife, Becky Lederer Hutchins. In first-kiss lore befitting a marriage that would span 53 years, the two shared their first kiss as homecoming king and queen in 1966.
An athlete and competitor at heart, Joel played on both the football and baseball teams while attending college at Washburn University. As much a patriot as a competitor, Joel’s desire to serve his community and country was first demonstrated through participation in R.O.T.C. during his time at Washburn.
Upon graduation he underwent pilot training and proudly served with the U.S. Air Force from 1971 to 1976, with his military career including service in the Vietnam War. During this period, Joel asked for Becky’s hand and the two were married on May 29, 1971. Becky later joined Joel and they spent their early part of their marriage living in both Taiwan and the Philippines.
Upon his honorable discharge from the Air Force, Joel returned to school with the goal of becoming a family practice physician. He graduated from The University of Kansas Medical School in 1987, and he and his family relocated to Holton in order for the newly-minted “Dr. Hutchins” to serve the community and surrounding area by opening Westside Family Practice.
Joel served as a family practice physician for 35 years. He was the district coroner for many years and served on the Kansas Board of Healing Arts from 2013 to 2019. Indicative of his commitment to serving his community, Joel’s career as hospice director would come to a close only when he himself became unable to avoid a hospital bed of his own.
Joel was an active member of Evangel Methodist Church, serving for many years as an adult Sunday school teacher and was an active member of the Holton Optimist Club.
Joel loved travel, loved history, loved people, loved food (especially rice crispy treats) and most importantly, Joel loved his family and friends. He felt a true calling to care for everyone around him and a deep sense of pride and love for the Holton community.
Joel is survived by his wife Becky and their two daughters, Jennifer Sherber (Ben) of Fernandina Beach, Fla., and Emily Esparza (Tony) of Shawnee; and his sister, Linda Bohnenkemper of Holton. Joel’s true pride and joy were his beloved grandchildren Asa, Heath, Evan and Soren.
Joel fought a brave battle against Stage IV Glioblastoma Multiforme. He was fortunate enough to keep his quick wit, sense of humor and faculties, even as his body weakened from the aggressive disease and his extensive treatment. Through it all, he was extremely thankful for the care he received from the physicians at St Luke’s Hospital, Mayo Clinic-Jacksonville and most importantly, his colleagues and friends at Holton Community Hospital.
Joel and his family would like to thank Mark and Debbie Knouft and family for the care and support they provided throughout Joel’s battle.
Joel was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Wanda Potter; and his brother, Jerry Hutchins.
The family invites the community to join them in a gathering of fellowship at the Evangel Methodist Church in Holton at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 8.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Holton Community Hospital Foundation Employee Assistance Fund or Holton Community Hospital Foundation, sent in care of Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436. To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com
(PAID OBITUARY)
