Morris E. "Joe" Stukey, 83, died March 14, 2008 at Central Kansas Medical Center, Great Bend, Kansas. He was born August 10, 1924 at Hoisington, Kansas, the son of Joe J. and Zora Zinn Stukey. He married Ramona Seyfert April 18, 1948 at Hoisington. He retired in 1987 from the Great Bend Fire Department. Mr. Stukey was a Great Bend resident since 1948, coming from Hoisington, Kansas. He was a United States Navy veteran of World War II, serving in the Asiatic-Pacific campaign as Seaman, First Class. He was also known as Santa Claus to many of the children of Barton County. Mr. Stukey was a member of Prince of Peace Parish at St. Patrick, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Morris-McFadden Post 3111, both of Great Bend. Survivors include his wife, Ramona, of the home; two sons: Morris L. Stukey and wife, Joyce, Great Bend, Kansas; and Larry Stukey and wife, Linda, Great Bend, Kansas; one daughter: Brenda Petersilie and husband, Dale, Great Bend, Kansas; one sister, Wilma "Jean" Schenk, Great Bend, Kansas; seven grandchildren: Brian Stukey, Greg Stukey, Sara Hagerman, Michael Petersilie, Janet Andereck, Chris Stukey, and Amy Stukey; and eleven grandchildren: Dean, Jordyn, Karley, Cameron, Conner, Kyle, Lexus, Hailey, Kassey, Jadynn, and Kasey. He was preceded in death by four brothers: Leonard, Olen, Mano, and Wayne; and five sisters: Lova, Marguerite, Thelma, Hazel, and Gladys. Vigil service will be at 7:00 p.m., Monday, March 17, 2008 at Bryant Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, March 18, 2008 at St. Patrick Catholic Church, with Father Floyd McKinney celebrant. Burial will be in Great Bend Cemetery. Friends may call from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday, March 17, 2008, with the family receiving friends from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorials in Mr. Stukey's name have been established with the American Diabetes Association or the Great Bend Fire Department Social Charity Fund, both in care of the funeral home.