Robert L. Hutchins

“Hutch” was born February 7, 1924 to John and Edith Hutchens in Lansing MI. He graduated from Eastern H.S. where he was the drum major for the state champion Boys Marching Band. Hutch was a veteran of WWII, proudly serving in the Marines on Guadalcanal and Okinawa, earning a purple heart. He became a licensed mortician in 1949, then a Michigan State Trooper in 1951, retiring in 1974. In 1975 he became a City of Lansing Court Officer and was later appointed Magistrate of 54A District Court, holding that position for 8 years before retiring for a second time.

Hutch (also known to many as “Bones”) enjoyed playing his ‘rhythm bones’ for anyone that would listen and was a member of the Senior Class Band for many years. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, and was very proud of his family. He touched the lives of many people and will be truly missed.

Hutch was preceded in death by a son, Paul (1985), his first wife Iva Lea, eight siblings; Margaret, Gertrude, Mildred, twin sister Elizabeth, John, Roy, Paul, and Charles.

He is survived by his wife Helen, children; Sandra, Renee (Brett) Morton, Robert (Mary), Carol, David, stepdaughter Cheryl, six grandchildren; Aaron, John, Paul, Katherine, Christian and Jarrod, two great-grandchildren, Caden and Cassidy, and many nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, April 17 at Gorsline-Runciman Funeral Homes, Lansing Chapel, 900 East Michigan Ave., Lansing. Funeral Services will be at 12 p.m. Thursday, April 18 at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Michigan State Police Fallen Troopers Memorial Fund, 1715 Abbey Rd., Ste. B, East Lansing, MI 48823 or, The Lansing Safety Council, 3315 S Pennsylvania Ave., Lansing, MI 48910 in memory of Robert L. Hutchins. The family is being served by Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.grlansing.com