John Hutchings

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

John “Hutch” Hutchings, age 97, of Joplin, MO passed away on June 19th, 2024.

He was born on November 16th, 1926 in Fairview, MO to his loving parents Lester and Bessie (Sharp) Hutchings. John worked for Campbell’s “66” Express, Inc. and Yellow Freight Trucking Company in Baxter Springs, KS until his retirement 1992.

He graduated from Fairview High School in 1944.

Inducted into the U.S. Army February 21, 1945 at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, moved to Camp Walters, Texas and shipped overseas to Zama, Japan to serve in the occupational forces.

He married the love of his life Betty Dorthalene (Sharon) on May 24th, 1952 in Joplin, MO and to their union they have two beautiful daughters, Sharon Miller and Kay Schorzman.

John was a loving Husband, Daddy, Grandpa and Brother. He loved the outdoors by taking pride in the home’s flowers and trees which some he started from seed. Hunted quail and trained with affection for the bird dogs he raised. Learned fly fishing from his father, became a fly tier and continued this hobby until a year ago. John and Dorthalene were a genealogy team that started more than 40 years ago. With books published and by helping others with research they showed their love for family history and the desire to preserve it for future generations.

John is preceded in death by his parents Lester and Bessie, his wife Betty Dorthalene, and Brother Lester Max (Mackey) Hutchings.

Survivors include daughters Sharon Miller and husband David, Joplin, MO, Kay Schorzman and husband Alan, Joplin, MO, sister Lillie Dean Eaton, brother Claud Hutchings and wife Mildred, one sister Lillie Deane Eaton, three grandchildren, three great grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren.