Obituary of Kenneth Earnest Hutchinson

Bedford - Kenneth Earnest Hutchinson, 74, 1010 Crawford Drive, died at 1:44 p.m. Sunday at Dunn Memorial Hospital after a lengthy illness. Born February 8, 1932 in Bedford to Clyde Earnest and Essie Elizabeth (Hoar) Hutchinson, he was married February 13, 1954 to Norma Jean Turner of Bedford. Both were 1950 graduates of Bedford High School. An active athlete both during and after graduation from high school, he was a member of the Bedford High School basketball team. When football was re-introduced at BHS after a long absence from the athletic program he became a member and student manager of the team. He also played summer league softball. After graduating from high school Mr. Hutchinson served three years with the Army National Guard of Indiana as a member of the 138th Tank Battalion and was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant Grade E-5 on May 25, 1953. One of the most dedicated Thornton Memorial Boys Club volunteers for more than 35 years, he coached and officiated most of the clubs basketball, football and softball programs, including programs in which his sons and grandsons participated. A long-time member and former president of the Boys Club Board of Directors, he was awarded every adult volunteer award. Mr. Hutchinson was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Bedford, and also had attended Valley Mission Church of Nazarene. A charter member of Little Theatre, he appeared in numerous productions. He was also a member of the American Diabetes Association, chairing several local fundraisers; a member of the former Bedford Junior Chamber of Commerce; and was for many years manager of the 7-Up Bottling Companys Bedford operations. He retired as manager of the paint department at Georges Gateway in Bedford in 1991 after suffering a massive heart attack. Surviving in addition to his widow are his daughter, Kathy Hammel and her husband, Rand of Springville; sons Kevin Earnest Hutchinson and his wife, Teresa, of Springville; Kent Emerson Hutchinson of Bedford and Davenport, Iowa, Kurt Emery Hutchinson and his wife, Debbie, and Kenny Dale Hutchinson, all of Bedford; one brother, James Lee Hutchinson and his wife, June, and one sister, Jean Lambert, all of Bedford. He is also survived by 16 grandchildren: Trevis Earnest Hutchinson and his wife, Carla, of Bedford; Douglas Gene Hutchinson of Portage, IN; Lucas David and Kevin Michael Hutchinson, both of Bedford; Steven and Nicholas Minett of Springville; Carrie Poole and her husband, Aaron, of Oolitic; Christopher and Casey Hutchinson of Bedford; Amanda and Evan Hutchinson of Bedford and Keeghan, Kevin and Catherine Hutchinson of Davenport, Iowa; two great grandchildren, Peyton and Trevan Hutchinson of Bedford; and numerous nieces and nephews. Also surviving are long-time close family friends Marion Mowry and her children, Rob Mowry, Kathy Ann Wagner and Nancy Jo Fox and their families. He was preceded in death by his parents. Funeral Information Funeral services will be conducted at 11:30 a.m., Thursday at Day and Carter Mortuary, with Southern Care Hospice Chaplain Jeff Hauersperger officiating. Friends may call from 2 until 8 p.m. Wednesday and from 10 a.m. until the funeral hour Thursday. Memory cards will be available at the funeral home to enable visitors to share their memories of Mr. Hutchinson with his family. View Video Tribute