THURSDAY'S EXPLOSION CLAIMS ONE VICTIM -- HUTCHINSON RESIDENT JOHNNY HAHN DIED FRIDAY FROM INJURIES HE SUSTAINED WHEN AN EXPLOSION FROM A NATURAL GAS LEAK DESTROYED HIS MOBILE HOME.

HUTCHINSON - Johnny Hahn, better known to many Hutchinson residents as "Mr. Fixit" or the "accordion man," had beaten some long odds in the past year.  Severe health problems, including kidney failure, had forced him to undergo major surgery, and doctors had given him a 1-in-10 chance of surviving, according to his friend Jack Rucker.

But Hahn, 69, had made a strong comeback and had even gone back to giving his impromptu one-man, street-corner concerts, Rucker said.  "He had said to me, 'You know, Jack, I feel like God left me on earth for a reason,' " Rucker said.

Hahn lost his final struggle against heavy odds Friday, dying a day after he was critically burned in a gas explosion that destroyed his mobile home. The blast injured his wife of many years, Mary Ann Hahn, 64. She remains in critical condition at Via Christi Medical Center-St. Francis Campus.

Rucker witnessed the explosion Wednesday that rocked downtown Hutchinson, destroying two businesses and creating a fireball that was still blazing Friday. That explosion, and the one that destroyed the Hahn’s home more than a mile away, have been linked to natural gas escaping from a huge underground gas storage vault seven miles northwest of the city.

Weldon Cook, a staff member at the Kansas State Fair, remembered Johnny Hahn as the jovial fellow who sat on the park benches near the miniature train station and played tunes on his accordion for fairgoers.  "He played at the Anchor Inn a lot, just for the fun of it," said Joan Arnold, an acquaintance of Hahn, referring to a popular Mexican restaurant in Hutchinson.

"He was a delightful person," said Joe Palacioz, Hutchinson city manager, who grew up in Newton, as did Hahn.  "He was a fine musician. He started as a saxophone player, and later in life he would go downtown and sit on a bench and play his accordion. He played Mexican, country and polkas . . . and he was one of those rare people who could play music by ear.''

Rucker said Hahn sold insurance before starting his own general handyman service.

"He called himself 'Mr. Fixit,' and he had that painted on the side of his old car, which had racks on top of it for ladders and the other things he needed," Rucker said. "It was a sight to see.''  Hahn had retired from his "Mr. Fixit" role four or five years ago and immersed himself in his love of music. Rucker said Hahn had dedicated himself to helping underprivileged youngsters get involved in music.

Mary Ann Hahn, who worked at the Hutchinson Bag Factory, retired from her job about two years ago, Rucker said. It was around that time the couple moved to the Big Chief Mobile Home & RV Park in east Hutchinson.

Published in Wichita Eagle, The (KS) - Saturday, January 20, 2001

John Hahn, 68, died Friday, January 19, 2001 at Via Christi Regional Medical Center in St. Francis Campus, Wichita, Kansas.  Funeral  services at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church with Father Ned Blick officiating.  Burial in Fairlawn Burial Park.

Mr. Hahn was born August 4, 1932 in South Bend, Ind., a son of Eugene Joseph and Mary Delta (Williams) Hahn.  He moved to Hutchinson from Olney in 1953.  On April 16, 1955, he married Mary Ann Rodriquez at Florence, Ks.  She survives.

He was a carpenter working in home remodeling.  He was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, a U.S. Navy veteran.  He was an avid musician and lifelong performer.  He played the saxophone and was a self-taught accordion player.

Mr. Hahn is survived by his wife, Mary Ann Hahn of Hutchinson, Ks.; a son, Michael Hahn of Hutchinson; three daughters, Kathleen L. Raya of Hutchinson, Patricia A. Bennett of Manhattan, Ks.; and Karen S. Hahn of Wichita; three brothers, Richard Hahn, Frank Hahn and Paul Hahn all of Olney; seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, David and a sister, Mary Eugene Loritz.

Published in Olney Daily Mail (IL)

John Hahn's wife, Mary Ann Hahn also passed away on January 29, 2001.