Johnnie Francis Hutsell

Beloved husband and father, Johnnie Francis Hutsell, passed away on Friday, December 12, 2025. He passed peacefully, knowing he was deeply loved by his family and friends.

Johnnie was born in Graff, Missouri, at his family's home on December 24, 1936, to Don and Margaret Hutsell.

He grew up in Graff, Missouri, and attended nearby Houston High School in Houston, Missouri. He traveled to Washington for work in 1953, where he held various agricultural jobs in the Walla Walla and Milton-Freewater areas. During this time, he met the love of his life, Iva Jean Ficht. Johnnie and Iva Jean were married on May 6, 1957, in Walla Walla, WA.

He began his career in auto mechanics at Neal's Garage in Dayton, WA. Johnnie held various auto mechanic jobs until 1968, when he settled his family in Waitsburg and purchased and operated one of the local gas stations. He soon expanded his business to include a radiator and auto repair business and eventually acquired the local NAPA parts store. Johnnie eventually sold the automotive repair and parts store and embarked on a new career in food processing. He first worked for Smith Frozen Foods and then for Lamb Weston, retiring in January of 1997.

After retirement, Johnnie and Jean moved to Arkansas, where they built a home on Jean's family homestead. They enjoyed retirement in the Kingston, Arkansas area until 2016, when they moved back to Walla Walla to be closer to family.

Johnnie loved the mountains and spent all the time he could at their cabin on Jasper Mountain. He especially enjoyed the time cooking for family and friends at the cabin.

Johnnie is survived by his wife, Iva Jean Hutsell, in Walla Walla; five children, Robin Smith (David), Joanna Stowell, Jeanine Cole (Greg), Randy Hutsell (Mary), and Mary Phillips (Mike). He was the proud grandfather of 10 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, January 5, 2026, at 10:00 AM at the Chapel of the Herring Funeral Home in Walla Walla.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Christian Aid Center through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W Alder St, Walla Walla, WA 99362. Friends and family are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.herringgroseclose.com.