John Morrell

John Edmond Morrell, 62, of Wichita, was born to Kenneth & Jeanne (Poemla) Morrell in Salina, KS, on May 31, 1956. He died January 23, 2019 at his home, after a long-term battle with diabetes. He attended Sacred Heart Grade School and graduated from Sacred Heart High School in Salina. Then he traveled the United States with the Silver Sabre Drum and Bugle Corp for 3 years. John then attended Fort Hays State University and earned a bachelor degree in Instrumental Music. Pursuing a career in teaching, John moved to Atwood, KS and taught instrumental music at the grade school and high school for 6 years. When in Atwood, he met the love of his life, Denise Prideaux. They were married August 28, 1982. This union was blessed with 3 boys, Troy, Ryan, and Trevor. Also, he sang with the Tumbleweed Chorus in Colby and was a charter member. John taught at Colby Community College for two years. John then attended Kansas State University earning his Master’s Degree of Computer Science. John then took a job at Hutchinson Community College teaching computer science for 23 years until his health forced him to retire. While at HCC he was active playing his baritone in the pep and concert bands. John was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, in Atwood and then Holy Cross Catholic Church, in Hutchinson. For entertainment John enjoyed watching movies and reading science fiction. John loved sports, especially watching his children and grandchildren compete. You could often hear him giving words of encouragement.

He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife Denise, Wichita; sons, Troy (Jessica), Hutchinson, Ryan, Wichita, Trevor, Wichita; brother Daniel, Salina; 3 grandchildren, Dylan, Madelyn, and Matthew; mother and father in-law, Maxine and Robert Prideaux; brothers in-law, Randy (Melanie) Prideaux and Roger Prideaux; sister in-law Donna Prideaux; nieces and nephew and many relatives and friends.

A Memorial Mass will take place at 10:30 a.m. Monday, January 28, 2019, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Atwood; with a Rosary at 10:00 a.m. Inurnment will take place at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Atwood. Memorials are suggested to the Rawlins County High School Band or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For condolences or information visit www.baalmannmortuary.com