KENNETH J. HASTINGS

KENNETH J. HASTINGS

Cottonwood Falls Kenneth J. Hastings, age 85, died Saturday, April 3, 2010, at Newman Regional Health in Emporia, KS. A celebration of life service will be held Wednesday, April 7, 2010, 2:00 P.M., at the Brown-Bennett-Alexander Funeral Home. The Rev. Young-Gil Bahng will officiate. A Fort Riley Honor Guard will present military honors at the graveside in Bazaar Cemetery following the service. Kenneth J. Hastings, the son of Vertner and Mamie Boettcher Hastings, was born July 31, 1924, in Wichita, KS. His parents moved to Council Grove, KS. when he was a very young boy and he started school in Council Grove. He, later, made his home with his uncle, Gail Hastings, and attended schools in the Strong City area. He entered the Army in 1943, and was a veteran of World War II having served in the Pacific with the 421st Engineer Dump Truck Company. He married Betty McCracken on June 1, 1947, in Cottonwood Falls. She survives. He was a heavy equipment operator for Chase County and then worked on the construction of the Kansas Turnpike. Upon its completion, he was hired as a foreman for the Turnpike and worked there for over 30 years. He retired in December of 1986. Kenneth was a life member of VFW Post #9728 in Strong City and a member of American Legion Claude Newlee Post in Cottonwood Falls. He loved spending time with his family. He enjoyed playing cards and he was quite lucky and usually a winner. He and Betty attended the pitch parties held at the Bazaar Community Building. He is survived by a son, Robert M. (Mike) Hastings and his wife, Kathy, of Tulsa, OK.; a sister, Alice Rice of Peoria, AZ., three brothers: Ray Hastings of Hemet, CA., Loyd Hastings of Roseburg, OR., and Donald W. Hastings of Wenatchee, WA.; four grandchildren: Shannon Harrell of Independence, MO., Janis Demmitt of Broken Arrow, OK., Shawn Hastings of Broken Arrow, OK., and Wesley Bruce of San Diego, CA., and five great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Patricia Jones; a sister, Daisy Hastings; and a brother, Virgil L. Hastings. The family will meet friends Tuesday from 6:00 until 7:30 P.M. at the funeral home. Friends may call Tuesday from noon until 8:00 P.M. and Wednesday from 9:00 A.M. until service time. Memorial contributions to the Chase County All Veterans Memorial or St. Jude’s Childrens Hospital may be sent in care of the funeral home, 201 Cherry, Cottonwood Falls, KS. 66845. Condolences may be left at www.brown-bennett-alexander.com.

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