10 Oct KGFA Mourns the Passing of Harold “Duff” Deardoff
Harold L. “Duff” Deardoff, 90, of Hutchinson, peacefully passed away Friday, October 4, 2024, surrounded by his family. He was born November 13, 1933, in Omaha, NE, to Loyal Kenneth and Ester Katherine (Jensen) Deardoff.
In 1951, Harold graduated from high school in Omaha, NE, and attended Hastings College, Hastings, NE. On May 17, 1953, he married Sharon McCormick, who passed away July 30, 1968, after a short illness. Harold married Dorothy (Klein) Krehbiel, in 1973, and they celebrated 51 years of marriage. He has three sons, one stepdaughter, four grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.
Harold retired from Garvey Elevators after 46 years of service, with the last few years serving as an Executive Vice-President. He had a deep appreciation for his work at Garvey Elevators and his co-workers and cronies from the Hutchinson Board of Trade era. In retirement, Harold kept busy assisting elderly and low-income taxpayers by preparing their taxes through AARP. He loved taking care of his yard, which was always pristine. In addition, Harold loved visits from family and was especially excited to see his great-grandchildren. He was an avid Nebraska Cornhusker fan which came from his childhood and young adult life living in Nebraska. Anyone who ever met Harold had a friend for life. He was considered by many as a kind and considerate person with an infectious personality.
Harold is survived by: his loving wife of 51 years, Dorothy Deardoff; sons, Randy Deardoff and John Deardoff (Jerri); stepdaughter, Robin Martinez, all of Hutchinson; grandchildren, Heather Braman (Mike) of Overland Park, Lindsay Cohen (Aaron) of Olathe, Lacey Menagay (Jon) and Taylor Donahue (Patrick), all of Spring Hill, KS; and great-grandchildren, Everett, Calahan, Brinley, Brecken, Sage, Violet and Sanford, all from the Kansas City area.
He was preceded in death by: his father, Loyal Deardoff; mother, Ester Deardoff; brother, Kenneth Deardoff (Ruth); wife, Sharon Deardoff; and a son, Steven Deardoff.
Graveside service will be 1:30 p.m. Monday, October 14, 2024, at Burrton Cemetery, Burrton, with the Reverend Dr. Kim Biery officiating. Friends may call from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday and 1:00 to 8:00 p.m. Sunday, with the family present from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Sunday at Elliott Mortuary.
Memorials are suggested to TECH or the donor’s choice, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.