Mervin Randall “Merv” Hathaway, 92, formerly of Hudson, died May 25, 2023, at Good Samaritan Society-Hutchinson Village. He was born Sept. 29, 1930, in Stafford, to Elmer William and Dora Louise (Hart) Hathaway.
Merv attended school in Stafford and St. John. He served in the United States Army from 1948-1949, in the Army Reserve from 1949-1953, and in the United States Air Force from 1953-1961. Merv owned and operated a service station in Haysville and Hudson, but found his true passion as a drug and alcohol counselor for the Larned State Hospital. He attended Trinity Community Church, Hudson, and First Congregational Church, Hutchinson.
On May 13, 1956, he married Vertabell May Ukens, in Hudson, at Trinity United Church of Christ.
Merv is survived by: his wife of 67 years, Vertabell of Hutchinson; daughters, Shari Koptik (George) of Great Bend, Sandy Benoit (Don) of Damar, and Stacy Gasper (Tyler) of Hutchinson; sister-in-law, Connie Hathaway of Hudson; grandchildren, Peggi Axelson (Mark), of Plainville, Kyle Benoit (Justine) of Damar, Elizabeth Phillips (Ryan) of Platte City, Mo., Jaci Wise (Colton) of Plainville, Randall Polifka of Hutchinson, Chase Polifka (Carissa) of Hays and Michelle Gasper of Hutchinson; and six great-grandchildren, with one on the way.
He was preceded in death by: his parents; brothers, Omar “Dean” Hathaway (Clara) and Daryl Hathaway; and two granddaughters, Kaitlyn and Kendra Gasper.
Memorial service will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 13, 2023, at First Congregational Church, 3410 N. Plum, Hutchinson, with Pastor Matt Stafford officiating. Graveside service will follow at 2:30 p.m. at Trinity Cemetery, Hudson, with military honors conducted by the McConnell Air Force Base Honor Guard. Friends may sign his book from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Elliott Mortuary.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to First Congregational Church, Hutchinson, the Hutchinson Public Library, or Trinity Community Church, Hudson, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.
The family wishes to thank Gentiva Hospice and Good Samaritan Society-Hutchinson Village for the loving care provided to Merv.