Elna (Hawkinson) Moore

Westmoreland- Elna Hawkinson Moore, 89, of Westmoreland, KS passed away Monday, December 10, 2007 at the Wamego City Hospital. She had been a resident of Westmoreland since 1945. Elna was born July 25, 1918 at Springside, Kansas in Pottawatomie County. She was the daughter of John Alfred and Lily (Williams) Hawkinson. She graduated from Cleburne Rural High School in 1936, and was a graduate of Coleman College in New Jersey. She later attended the University of Missouri in Kansas City, Missouri. Elna married Lt. Col. Edward C. Moore during W.W.II in Kansas City, MO on June 24, 1943. She and Lt. Col. Moore lived at Fort Benning, Georgia before returning to Westmoreland in 1945, where they lived, worked and raised their family. He preceded her in death on June 22, 1996. She was very active in the Westmoreland community, volunteering to work any project in the community. Elna was particularly involved in the Westy “Pride Program” for many years, helping to restore and beautify the character of Westmoreland and its Main Street. She also served on the USD 323 School District Board of Education for 19 years and during the years of consolidation for the Rock Creek School District, volunteered as a leader in the local Boy Scouts and Girl Scout organizations, and was a long-time member of the Westy Chamber of Commerce. She and a number of other women in the community trained to become volunteer Emergency Medical Technicians for the Westmoreland and northern Pottawatomie County Ambulance Service, which Elna started and served as volunteer Director for 20 years. It was the only volunteer all Women’s Ambulance Service in Kansas. She was also active as a member of the Westmoreland United Methodist Church, serving on the Church Board and Sunday School staff. She was a founding member and current President of the Rock Creek Valley Historical Society, which under her leadership has grown to include four museum buildings, the restoration of the historic “hand-dug” well, and the development of the Oregon Trail Park. Her service to the community and county was recognized by the Pottawatomie County Commissioners declaring “Elna Moore Day” in her honor. Elna is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, James E. and Jennifer Moore of Westmoreland, KS; a daughter and son-in-law, Susan M. and Dr. Richard Gaskill, Wichita, KS; one sister, Lauranell H. Stewart and husband Jess of Wamego, KS; five grandchildren, Benjamin Moore, Lincoln, NE, Brian Moore of Westmoreland, Jarred Gaskill, Wichita, KS, Brianna Gaskill of West Lafayette, IN, Dr. Trevor Gaskill and wife, Shelly of Durham, NC; and one great-granddaughter, Anistyn Gaskill. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Kenneth and Pete Hawkinson, and one sister, Ramona Scott. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, December 14, 2007, at the Westmoreland United Methodist Church, with Rev. Laura Burnett officiating. Burial will follow in the Westmoreland City Cemetery. Mrs. Moore will lie in-state at the church on Friday beginning at 10:00 a.m. until service time. The family will greet friends during a visitation from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. Friday in the Methodist Church Education Building located south of the church. The family suggests memorials contributions to the Westmoreland United Methodist Church organ fund, or to the Rock Creek Valley Historical Society, and may be left in care of the Stewart Funeral Home, P.O. Box 48, 66547.