Darwin Craig Knoche, 91, of Abbyville, died peacefully October 28, 2025, at Hospice House, Hutchinson. He was born December 29, 1933, in Hutchinson, to Edward and Bessie Beulah (Evans) Knoche.
Darwin graduated from Abbyville High School, in 1951. He served in the United States Army, before returning to the farm. For 75 years, Darwin lived and breathed the farm life from raising cattle to growing crops, (with wheat as his favorite crop). He enjoyed traveling to Branson and woodworking with his wife, Margie. Most days, he could be found drinking coffee and solving the world’s problems at Farmers Co-Op Grain Co., Abbyville. Faith, family and community involvement were paramount throughout Darwin’s life. For most of his life, he was a member of Abbyville Community Church (formerly Abbyville Christian Church). Darwin looked forward to visits from his family and keeping updated on his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren’s activities. He loved all his family unconditionally. In addition, for over 20 years, Darwin was the mayor of Abbyville, and each Christmas, he decorated the town of Abbyville with Christmas lights.
On May 31, 1953, he married his high school sweetheart, Margie Darlene Cooper, in Abbyville. They worked alongside on the family farm for over 67 years. Margie passed January 22, 2021.
Darwin is survived by: children, Melody (Mike) Runyon of Nickerson, Belinda (Mark) Ward of Kansas City, MO, and Craig (Sheila) Knoche of Abbyville; brother, Farrell (Pam) Knoche of Hutchinson; grandchildren, Taylor (Caressa) Runyon, Chase (Kristin) Runyon, Craig (Hoda) Ward, Micaela (Scott) Finlayson, Steven (Jenny) Knoche, Hannah Knoche, and Jarid (Christina) Ward; and great-grandchildren, Taysen Runyon, Cailynn Runyon, Madison Runyon, Sterling Runyon, Somer Ward, Ross Ward, Jude Finlayson, Bodhi Finlayson, Skylynn Leroy, Hunter Leroy, Willow Ward, Kaxton Knoche, Kolson Knoche, and another little Knoche on the way.
Darwin was preceded in death by: his parents and granddaughter, Daci Runyon.
Funeral service will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, November 1, 2025, at Abbyville Community Church, 201 West Avenue G, Abbyville with Mike Runyon and Dale Levering officiating. Burial will follow in Abbyville Cemetery. Friends may sign his book from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Thursday and Friday at Elliott Mortuary. The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until service time Saturday at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Abbyville Community Church or Hospice and HomeCare of Reno County, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.