DR. REV. JOHN H. HASTINGS

John H. Hastings Nov. 10, 1935 - Dec. 23, 2009 Rev. John H. Hastings, Doctor of Divinity and pastor of the Elmdale and Strong City United Methodist Churches, passed away on Wednesday, December 23, 2009. John had received a heart transplant in June of 1998 and enjoyed good health with his new heart until recently as his heart began to fail again.

John began his ministry at Fairview United Methodist Church outside of Hutchinson in 1961. He then served United Methodist Churches at Mentor, Beattie, Oketo, Grantville, Dodge City, Halstead, Hays, Mulvane, and most recently served a dual charge at Strong City, and Elmdale, preaching his final sermon on Sunday, December 20.

John was born the tenth of sixteen children to Ray and Dorothy Hastings. Twelve of his brothers and sisters grew to adulthood: Elmira Fillis, Blanche Andrew, Ginny Rhodes, Curtis Hastings, Betty Barr, Lauerence Hastings, Lois Shuey, Mary Blumanhourst, Arvella Scott, Bob Hastings, Paul Hastings, and Judy Feil.

John grew up in Cheney, Kansas. Following high school graduation, he spent two years in the army, and then returned home to Kansas to help support his large family. He married Millie, his wife of 51 years, in July of 1958. He received his undergraduate degree from Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina, Kansas, his Master of Ministry degree from St. Paul’s School of Theology in Kansas City, Missouri, and his Doctor of Divinity degree from San Francisco Theological Seminary in San Anselmo, California.

His family grew to include four children and their families: John, Jr., his wife Ermine and son Grant of Chapel Hill, North Carolina; DeAnne, her husband Dan Heersche, and their daughters Taylor and Connor of Mulvane; Steve and his son Matthew of Derby, and Ron, Kathy and children Jacob, Ciera, Kayna, and Jeron of Emporia. He and Millie often extended their family through informal "adoptions" that include Dave and Deb Hoofer and their children Jacob and Jessica of Wichita; Christian Hess and his two children Cecilie and Sebastian of Denmark; Priska Chappell of Wichita; and Diana Rhodes of Mulvane.

John enjoyed spending time with his family and with members of his congregations. He took a special interest in the youth, often organizing ski trips to Colorado where he became both a sponsor and a ski instructor. For several years, Christmas was spent on week-long family ski trips. In recent years, Christmas was celebrated during the week of Thanksgiving, when the whole family of sixteen would spend the week together in their home in Derby. The family spent a week in June in 2008 celebrating both John and Millie’s 50th wedding anniversary and the 10th anniversary of John’s heart transplant.

John continues to impact the lives of others even in death. His family donated both eyes so that two different people could see. John was an active member of the Mulvane Lions Club, which focuses on sight issues. His body has been sent to Life Legacy in Arizona for research purposes before cremation. As an organ transplant recipient, John believed strongly in donating what he could, even in his poor health.

The family will host a Celebration of Life ceremony on Saturday, January 2 at 3:00 at the Central Community Church located at 6100 West Maple in Wichita. The family invites all those who knew and loved John to join us in remembering his tremendous sense of humor, his impact on those who knew him, and his capacity to love others.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of DR. REV. JOHN H. HASTINGS, please visit our floral store.