John Henry Hutfles, 75, of Centralia, Kansas, died Sunday, March 28, 2010 at his daughter’s home in Overland Park, under the care of Catholic Charities Hospice.

John was born in Centralia on March 18, 1935 to Ernest and Augusta Boeckman Hutfles. He graduated from St. Bede’s High School in Kelly in 1953 and served in the U.S. Army for two years. He moved to Illinois and worked at Clark Oil Refinery and Mobil Oil Refinery for 36 years.

John married Theresa Grotovsky on April 4, 1959 in Tinley Park, Illinois. The couple lived in Orland Park, Mokena, and Seneca, all in Illinois, and also in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia, where John worked for two years in the start up of an oil refinery for Mobil Oil. They retired to Centralia, Kansas in 1994, and John continued to enjoy his love of farming and John Deere tractors.

He was a member of St. Bede’s Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus Council #14639 in Kelly. He also belonged to the Exxon Mobil Retiree Club. He enjoyed traveling, especially to visit grandchildren in Virginia and Tennessee, and while living in Saudi Arabia he traveled with his family to many different countries.

Survivors include his wife Theresa of the home in Centralia; three sons, Major Anthony Hutfles, USAF, Ret. of San Antonio, Texas, Lt. Col. Gary (Claire) Hutfles, USAF, of Springfield, Virginia, and Steven (Svetlana) Hutfles of Fredonia, Kansas; three daughters, Janet Hutfles of Overland Park, Kansas, Major Veronica Hutfles, USAF, of Livermore, California and Joanne (Cory) Hernandez of Parsons, Tennessee; six grandchildren Sean, Lawrence, Veronica Rose, and Eileen Hutfles, and Bryce and Ty Hernandez; two brothers, Jerry Hutfles of Knob Noster, Missouri and Joe Hutfles of Byron, Georgia; two sisters, Mary Elaine Wheeler of Climax Springs, Missouri, and Jane Newman of Montgomery, Texas; and many other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Augusta Hutfles, and a sister-in-law Phyllis Hutfles.

Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 7 PM on Monday, April 5, at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca, Kansas. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 AM Tuesday, April 6, at St. Bede’s Catholic Church in Kelly. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Memorials may be given for St. Bede’s Cemetery in Kelly or Catholic Community Hospice of Overland Park, and sent in care of the family.