Thomas M. Key, 84, died Feb. 1, 2016, at Wesley Towers, Hutchinson. He was born Oct. 16, 1931, in Sterling, the son of Norris and Helen Magers Key. He was a 1949 graduate of Sterling High School. A resident of Hutchinson for eight years, formerly a lifetime Sterling resident, he was a farmer.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, Sgt. E-5, where he served as a gunner on an A-26, flying 50 missions in Korea.

On Nov. 10, 1956, he married Patricia Louise Belden in Sterling. She survives. Other survivors include: son, Randall S. Key and wife Tomi Sue, Hutchinson; two daughters, Karla R. Reiter and husband John, Tulsa, Okla., and Kristen R. Key, Denver, Colo.; three grandchildren, Sarah Key, Kansas City, Mo., Matthew and Kayla Key, Nickerson, and Paige Reiter, Boston, Mass.; two great-grandchildren, Jackson Scott Key and Ian Thomas Key.

Funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 4, 2016, at United Methodist Church, Sterling, with the Rev. Jeff Miller presiding. Visitation with the family present will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2016, at Birzer Funeral Home, Sterling. Burial will be in Sterling Community Cemetery, Sterling, with military honors conducted by the U.S. Air Force and Sterling American Legion. Memorials may be made to United Methodist Church, Sterling or Collier Assisted Living Center at Wesley Towers, in care of the funeral home.