Harley J Stucky

Harley J. Stucky

Harley J. Stucky, 85, died Friday (Nov. 11, 2005) at his home in North Newton. He was born July 26, 1920, the fourth child of Julius and Olga Krehbiel Stucky in McPherson County. He was an educator, college administrator, farmer, churchman, author, and spokesman for reform and benevolent causes. He taught history and political science at Bethel College, Bethany College and Central State University. From 1964 to 1974 he was vice-president of academic affairs at Friends University in Wichita.

He attended Mound Elementary School, graduated from Moundridge High School and Bethel College, then continued his education at Garret Evangelical Seminary and the University of Chicago. He earned a Ph.D. from Northwestern University and began his teaching career at Bethel in 1948, where he also coached forensics and served as dean of men. His interest in history of the Swiss Volhynian Mennonite emigration to the United States is found in a number of his books, articles and edited works, including histories of Swiss/Russian Mennonites and genealogical records. Throughout his life he advocated a "Doctrine of Love and Non-Resistance" reflected in several of his publications. He was always interested in justice, world peace and the teachings of Jesus Christ.

A man of wide-ranging interests, Stucky served as president of the Kansas Authors Club, as president of the Swiss Mennonite Cultural and Historical Society and as co-chair of the Kansas Red Hard Winter Wheat Centennial.

On March 14, 1945, he married Ruby L. Voth. Their union was blessed with four children: Steven Joe, Franklin Jay, Nathan Paul J. and Rita Joy; 11 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. They also had an extended family including Kenneth and Joyce Kaufman and Lynnett Stucky-Mack and Carla (Stucky) Shuck and their families.

He is survived by his wife, children, extended family and grandchildren. His parents, two brothers Marion and Carl, and two sisters Fedora and Lorene preceded him in death.

Visitation will be until 9 p.m. today with family greeting friends from 6 to 8 p.m. at Petersen Funeral Home.

Memorial service will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at Bethel College Mennonite Church.

A family burial will be in Hopefield Cemetery.

Memorials have been established with Bethel College Mennonite Church and the Mennonite Central Committee, both in care of Petersen Funeral Home, 215 N. Main, Newton, KS 67114.