Elinor Keesling

Elinor B. Keesling, 102, died September 6, 2024, at Paramount Community Living and Rehab in Newton, Kansas. She was born August 8, 1922, in Winfield, Kansas, the daughter of Rolley Lewis and Martha Helen (Miller) Wells. She lived many years in Western Kansas towns, graduating from Dighton High School in 1940 and Wichita University in 1944. She taught at Sylvia, Kismet, Fowler, Sublette and Liberal, all in Kansas, retiring in 1984.

She belonged to the Salem United Methodist Church in Newton where she was very active in the choir and as a Sunday school teacher. She also belonged to Harvey County Retired School Personnel. She was an active volunteer at the former Asbury Park, now Paramount Community Living and Rehab, in Newton.

On June 1, 1946, she married Chester Arthur Keesling at Plains, Kansas and he preceded her in death on October 18, 1993.

She is survived by a son, Bob Keesling (Lynne); two grandchildren: Adam (Rebecka) Keesling and Emily (Justin) Lawrence; great grandson Asher Lawrence and several nieces and nephews.

Elinor is preceded in death by her parents, husband, brothers: Lewis and Delbert Wells; sisters: Neta May Bullard, Frances Trotter and Opal Anderson; she is also preceded by one great granddaughter Adalee Keesling.

Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, September 14, 2024, at Petersen Funeral Home Chapel in Newton with The Reverend Jan McDaniel presiding. Visitation will be 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday with the family receiving friends from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Petersen Funeral Home. Burial will be at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, September 14, 2024, at Memorial Park Cemetery in Hutchinson.

Memorials may be made to Good Shepherd Hospice or Elinor W. Keesling Scholarship Fund at Wichita State University and left with Petersen Funeral Home.