John Eugene Lutz

John Eugene Lutz, 69, Hays, passed away March 16, at Hays Medical Center, after a brief illness. He was born October 1, 1942, in Manhattan, Kansas, the youngest son of William and Lorena (Prestwood) Lutz. He lived and was schooled in Manhattan in the Hunter's Island community until the 1951 flood took the family farm. At that time the family relocated in the Cleburne community north of Manhattan. John attended the local school there, graduating from Blue Valley High School in 1960. He attended Kansas State University and Emporia State University, receiving a business degree from Emporia State in 1964. He worked as an accountant in Wichita for a time and served a 7 year stint in the Army National Guard. Later, he and his family moved to Hays and he worked in his brother's accounting firm, Wellbrock & Lutz Chartered CPA's. Upon leaving the firm, John continued to prepare taxes for many of his clients from his home, officially retiring in 2010. He is survived by a son Jeremy (Niki), Independence, Missouri; two daughters Ashley Peters (Jason), Olathe, and Amber Lutz, Hays; five grandchildren Jadyn and Parker Lutz, and Emmitt, Melia and Nolan Peters; two sisters Betty Kramer, Topeka, and Berris Gregg, Manhattan; two sisters-in-law Rita Lutz, Concordia, and Lois Lutz, Hays; a cousin Edrena 'Red' Adolph, Riley, who has been his lifetime 'sounding board' and confidante; as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, William and Bob. Services will be held at the Irvin-Parkview Funeral Home, Manhattan, at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 21, with Rev. Ben Duerfeldt officiating. Visitation will be from 1:00 to 2:00 prior to the service. Burial will follow in the Sunrise Cemetery, Manhattan. Memorials may be made to the charity of your choice.