Van N. Hurst, 92, of Atchison, KS died on Jan. 3, 2017 at his home in Atchison.

Funeral services will be 1:30 pm on Sat. Jan. 7th, 2017 at the First Christian Church with Rev. Matt Broxterman and Rev. Bob Turpin officiating. Burial will follow in the Armstrong Cemetery, Rushville, Mo. The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8:00 pm on Friday, at the Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home. Memorial contributions are suggested to the First Christian Church of Rushville, MO or Atchison First Christian Church, or the Atchison YMCA and may be sent in care of the funeral home. Condolences and memories to the family maybe left online at www.beckerdyer.com.

Van was born on May 16th, 1924 in Rushville, MO the son on Clifton and Agnes (VanHoozer) Hurst. He attended grade school in Rushville, MO and graduated from Rushville High School in 1942. Van served in the United States Army from 1943 to 1946, sixteen months during that time in Europe. After returning home he attended St. Joseph Junior College, graduated from University of Nebraska with a B.S. in Education in 1950 and earned his Master’s in Education in 1953. Van taught his first year at Rushville High School in 1950, from 1953-1954 at DeKalb High School, and from 1954-1987 he taught and later was the Elementary, then Atchison Junior High School, and Atchison Senior High School Principle for USD 409. He was a member of the First Christian Church, the Atchison Lions Club, the American Legion Post #6, and VFW Post #1175, the Salvation Army Board, the Retired Teachers Association and past member of the YMCA Board. He enjoyed fishing, living at Sugar Lake, playing and coaching sports, watching college sports and especially his grandchildren.

Van was married to Jeri Fuller on June 5, 1948 in St. Joseph MO. She preceded him in death on Oct. 31, 1993. He was later married to Vera Ellerman Rodecap on Sept. 3, 1994 in Nortonville, KS. She preceded him in death on June 15, 2013. Survivors include a son, Corky Hurst, Atchison, KS, three daughters, Paula Hurst, Golden, CO, Jeri Ann Baker and Ellen Mitchell, both of Salina, KS, a step-son, Roger H. “Rocky” Rodecap, Cummings, KS , two step daughters, Jerri Anne (Tim) Freed, and family, Topeka, KS, Lisa Lyn (Dave) Hill, and family Tyler, Tx and six grandchildren, Libby (Chuck) Teafatiller, Shane (Meagan) Long, Austin Baker, Mariah Baker, Dakota Baker, and Allison (Andrew) Johns and step-grandchildren, Jaclyn (Zac) West, Christen (Matt) Lacy, Presley Rodecap, Kendra Rodecap, and Katie (Carey) Clover, Great grandchildren, Zachary & Dylan Teafatiller , Sage & Micah Long, Landon & Aidan Johns, step great grandchildren, Reagan & Rylee West, Mya & Will Lacy, Hudson & Caroline Clover. His parents, both wife’s – Jeri and Vera, and a brother, Allison Hurst preceded him in death.