Herbert George Allender,91, died October 6, 2026 at Hospice House in Hutchinson, Kansas. He was born on August 5, 1935 in Stillwater, Oklahoma to Herbert A. Allender and Ida (Reichman) Allender.

In 1953, Herb graduated from Central High School, Tulsa Oklahoma. In 1958, Herb graduated from Oklahoma A & M (Oklahoma State) as a music major. While there, he participated in their marching band and met his wife, Etta Jean (Wallace) Allender. Herb went on to earn a masters degree in education from Wichita State University.

Herb made many contributions to society in his lifetime. He was an Eagle Scout and served in the Oklahoma National Guard. He was a music director which included directing the high school bands in Sharon, Kansas for five years, and Southeast of Saline for nineteen years.

After retiring from teaching, Herb became a businessman. For 24 years, he operated Allender Band Instrument Repair Shop and worked at H & R Block for 15 years.

Herb served his church and community. He directed the choir at The First Baptist Church in Gypsum for 42 years and served as a church trustee. For over 40 years, Herb enjoyed singing in the community choir for Thanksgiving services and the Easter Cantata. Herb was a member of Masons and Lions Club. Herb was instrumental in helping students participate in the Kansas Lions Band, which traveled to other countries.

Herb and Etta went on a missionary trip to Woody Island, Alaska where he operated the log splitter to produce lumber for more cabins. They traveled extensively including trips to Hawaii, Alaska and down the east coast from Rhode Island to Florida. Herb and Etta enjoyed trips to England, Scotland and Tahiti as well.

Herb was a humble and quiet man with many talents which included his love for construction. His first construction project was a treehouse made from reclaimed wood. He went on to remodel a 100-year-old house to which he added a garage and family room. Another hobby was gardening. Herb and Etta grew gardens and fruit trees and were generous with their produce. Many were blessed by the fruits and vegetables they grew. Herb was an animal lover as a result, he rescued and cared for several cats and even a few dogs.

Herb was a family man. He was an ideal son, devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend.

Herb is survived by: his wife of 66 years, Etta; his son, Kendall (Pam); granddaughter, Erika (Harley) Ewing all of Hutchinson, granddaughter Erin (Jonathan) Bernard of Overland Park and grandson Kendall “Zane” Allender of Prairie Village; great-grandchildren Harley, Theodore and Aspen Ewing and Olivia and Beau Bernard; and many nieces and nephews.

Herb was preceded in death by his father, mother, step-mother, Belinda (Stone) Allender and sister, Evelyn Allender Jones.

Herb’s smile and good humor will be missed by all who knew him.

The family would like to thank the caring employees of the Hospice House in Hutchinson and the many doctors, nurses, health care providers and friends that cared for Herb.

The memorial service for Herb will be at the First Baptist Church in Hutchinson on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at 10:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Hospice House of Hutchinson, First Baptist Church in Hutchinson or Saint Jude’s Children's Hospital in care of Hutchinson Funeral Chapel, 300 E. 30th Ave, Hutchinson, KS 67502.