Abelardo Ayala

Abelardo “Larry” Ayala, 83, died Thursday (September 16, 2021) at his home in Sedgwick, Kansas.

The Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be at 9:30 A.M., Monday September 27, followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 A.M., both at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Halstead, Kansas. Interment will be in the Hillside Cemetery in Sedgwick, Kansas.

Larry was born on June 28, 1938 in Wichita, Kansas, the son of Jose and Petra Gutierrez Ayala. Larry was raised in Wichita, graduating from Wichita West High School and later from Wichita State University with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering.

He married Mary Luna on May 22, 1965 at the Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Newton. They lived in Wichita until moving to Sedgwick in the early 1970’s.

Larry had worked at Cessna Aircraft in Wichita for 25 years as an Aeronautical Engineer. He was a longtime member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Halstead and a former member of the Sedgwick Lions Club. He always enjoyed working the crossword puzzle and doing jigsaw puzzles.

Survivors include his wife Mary of the home in Sedgwick; son Carlos Ayala and wife Dana of Greensboro, N.C.; daughters Cynthia McVicar and husband of Tom of Wichita, Christine Black and companion T.J. Lippincott of Hutchinson; six grandchildren; and one great grandchild. Larry is also survived by his brothers and sisters Joe Ayala, Jr., Elida “Mary” Blades, Sergio “Steve” Ayala, Daniel “Danny” Ayala, Joel Ayala, Carla Ayala, Israel Ayala, Abigaile “Abi” Landes, and Mario Luis Ayala.

He is preceded in death by his parents; three brothers Vidal, Armando, and Hector “Jamie”; and three sisters Grace Mandujano, Magdelena “Helen” Gonzales, and Ninfa Miranda.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established with Donate Life Kansas and Sacred Heart Catholic Church, contributions may be sent to Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, 120 E. Broadway, Newton, Ks. 67114.

The casket will remain closed at all times, there will not be a visitation.

Arrangements are by Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, Newton, Ks.