Orville Hutfles 1937-2026

Orville Joseph Hutfles, 88, of Holton, passed away Monday, May 11, 2026, at Stormont-Vail Regional Medical Center in Topeka, surrounded by his family.

He was born June 29, 1937, at Kelly, the son of Harry and Agnes Huerter Hutfles. He graduated from Kelly High School in 1955 and served in the U.S. Army from 1960 to 1962.

Orville was a believer and follower of Christ. He loved music and listening to his family play, especially on their trips to Arkansas. He was an avid baseball fan, having played many years when he was younger. He designed and built many things over the years and would build anything for anybody. He had earned his pilot’s license, and was a member of Wetmore American Legion Post 282 and Wetmore Knights of Columbus Council 10301.

Orville was a farmer and a stockman. He also worked for the Jackson County Road and Bridge Department, and later for the City of Holton, first in the power and light department and then in the street department. He retired from the city after 17 years. He also did dozing, welding and mechanic work and was an auctioneer.

He married Shirley Lierz on Feb. 3, 1968 at Wetmore. She survives.

Orville was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Vern Hutfles.

Other survivors include a daughter, Ellie Haverkamp (Kevin), Wetmore; two sons, Jesse Hutfles (Connie), Wichita and Charlie Hutfles (Jennifer), Horton; a brother, Jerry Hutfles (Lynda), Topeka; two sisters, Carolyn Haverkamp, Seneca and Betty Grollmes (Jim), Perry; 15 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

Memorial services with military honors will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 19 at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Holton. Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday. Inurnment will be held at a later date in the Wetmore Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the Cardinal Community Foundation of Wetmore, and may be sent in care of the funeral home, P.O. Box 1034, Holton, KS 66436. Online condolences may be made at chapeloaksfuneralhome.com

(PAID OBITUARY)