Phillip Headings

Phillip Lee Headings, 80, died January 15, 2016. He was born November 6, 1935, the son of Levi and Mary Headings. He grew up on a farm in rural Hutchinson and was baptized into Yoder Mennonite Church. He attended central Christian High School, Hesston College, and Emporia State Teacher’s College, where he received his master’s degree in Education. Along the way, he married Estella Irene Yutzy on December 28, 1957. They had 2 children, Ronald Lynn Headings, born January 15, 1960, and Brenda Rae Headings Glunz, born December 11, 1961. After college, Phillip took part in volunteer services and WI service, where he worked in a hospital in Kansas City. Phillip and Estella lived the majority of their married life in the Wichita area, while he taught school. The majority of his career was teaching 6th grade at OK Elementary, Wichita. He spent the last 5 years at McLean Elementary, a science magnet school. Phillip worked hard and played hard. Never one to rest, Phillip spent his summers building houses, or running a hay bale crew. He always took the family on a vacation before school started, often camping in Colorado. Phillip coached and played games his whole life. Coaching slow pitch softball was his passion. Many nights were happily spent on the ball diamond. After his early retirement, Phillip dedicated his life to service. He and Estella sold their permanent residence and lived in their camper for over 10 years. They traveled extensively and eventually visited all 50 states. During their travels, they volunteered at Habitat for Humanity, the National Park Service, Mennonite Disaster Service, and various church camps, most notably, Lakewood Retreat, Florida, Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp, Colorado, and Camp Friedenswald, Michigan. They stopped in Nebraska and Ohio regularly during those years to check on their kids and watch their grandsons’ various school activities. During those visits, the grandsons got the opportunity for extra science lessons with grandpa. They shot off rockets, potato guns, water rockets, and anything else they could think of. Of course, there were lesson in crokinole, pooch, and all sorts of other games. After retirement from the road, Phillip and Estella settled into a new house on the campus of Mennonite Friendship Communities. He was an active member of Kansas Mennonite Men’s Chorus, Faith Mennonite Church, and he substitute taught for Hutchinson Public Schools. Health difficulties caused him to slow down and he eventually moved to Reflection Living, where he gently and peacefully passed away during prayer. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Robert and Sanford Headings, and a sister, Lois Headings Burrell. He is survived by his wife, Estella, Hutchinson, son Ron (Linda) Headings, Bluffton, OH, a daughter, Brenda (Pat) Glunz, Benedict, NE, grandsons, Garrett Bush, Lincoln, NE, Aaron (Sara) Bush, Ralston, NE, Jake Headings and Luke Headings, both of Bluffton, OH, nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and hundreds of students. Cremation is planned. Family will receive friends from 5-7 PM Sunday at Journey @ South Hutchinson. Celebration of life services will be held at 11:00 AM Monday at Journey @ South Hutchinson. Memorial contributions may be made to Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp in care of Buhler Mortuary.

Phillip Headings

November 6, 1935 - January 15, 2016