Bates County News

Friday, February 6, 2026

Robert Hutchison, 68 of Stilwell

 Robert Hutchison, 68 of Stilwell, Kansas went to be with our Lord on January 30, 2026 at Research Medical Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri.  Cremation, with private family services to be held at a later date.  Arrangements entrust to Mullinax Funeral Home, Drexel (816-657-4400).  Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.

 Robert “Rob” Edward Hutchison was born May 23, 1957 in Boulder, Colorado to Jane Marie Westervelt Hutchison and John Garvin Hutchison.  Rob graduated from Summit High School in Colorado where, among many activities, he played football and was in the high school band.  Following high school, he enlisted in the United States Army serving honorably in the Military Police.  He also was a Law Enforcement Officer in the Air Force.  Rob was on the Ski Patrol in Colorado and loved skiing the beautiful mountain slopes.

 Rob and his wife, Trish, started Sterling Meetings and Events in 2000, working out of their home in Stilwell, Kansas.  Rob enjoyed being the on-site Travel Director for hundreds of meetings they organized. 

One of Rob’s dreams was to work part-time after retirement at the Kansas NASCAR Track.  He got hired on and LOVED it!  He also occasionally worked for the NASCAR Racing Experience and enjoyed that adventure as well!  In 2022, Rob and Trish knew there was something missing in their lives and they knew it was a closer walk with Jesus that they were missing.  They started attending Living Proof Church in Paola, Kansas, where Rob quickly began serving on the Support Team.  Rob had previously given his life to Jesus, however, had never been baptized.  On March 26, 2023, he was baptized and truly started serving our Lord and Savior!  Shortly, thereafter, he joined a Men’s Bible Study, currently named “The Forge,” meeting in Olathe, Kansas where he studied the word of God and bonded with a most special group of men!  He loved every one of them!

Rob was preceded in death by his parents, John Garvin Hutchison and Jane Marie Westervelt.  Survivors include his wife, Trish Hutchison of Stilwell, KS., his stepson Caleb Read and his wife Heather of LaCygne, KS., stepdaughter, Jessica Tolbert and husband Brent of Kansas City, MO., and his beloved grandsons Tre’von Bedell and Marcus Bedell of Kansas City, MO. 

 We will miss Rob tremendously, but know he is now without pain and living with Jesus and one day we will be with him in Heaven!

 


Eileen Rigler, age 89 of Butler

Eileen Rigler, 89 of Butler, Missouri passed away Tuesday, July 21, 2026 at Medicalodges Butler. Cremation, with no public services schedul...