Gladys V. Wille

Gladys Wille, age 101, passed away on May 2, 2015. She was born June 2, 1913, in Alma, Kansas, the youngest child of Frank Dervin and Etta Craig Freeman. She graduated from Alma High School Dist. 16, in 1931. She was active in school activities, the music department, singing in the girl's glee club, quartet, trio, and the mixed chorus. She was the pianist for the school orchestra. Gladys married Gilbert Wille, of Wamego, KS, in the Peace Evangelical Church, Alma, KS., on March 4, 1934. They lived 1 year on a farm near Wabaunsee. They moved to the Mitchell farm in Northern Wabaunsee County, where they lived 37 years, before retiring and purchasing a home near Wamego. Two children were born to this union, Jerald Robert and Karen Sue. Gladys was a homemaker. Her main outside interest was her love of music. She was a member of Immanuel Faith Community Church, Wells Creek, where she sang in the choir, quartets and duets. She was an organist there for 47 years before retiring in 1998. She was a faithful worker in the church Women's Guild/Dorcas Circle for many years. She also was an organist for Stewart Funeral Home from 1957 to 2007. She was a member of the Wabaunsee County Farm Bureau, having served on the Board. She researched and wrote the history of that organization. In 1968, she received the Outstanding Farm Bureau "Kansas Women's Leader of the Year" award for the 4th District. Gladys was a former member of the auxiliary of the American Legion Post 172 in Wamego; Past President Parley and Cottonwood F.C.E. She was a member of the Wamego Senior Center, active as a volunteer, served on the Board of Directors, was entertainment director and also played the organ there. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gilbert, parents, 3 brothers, 1 sister, and son, Jerald Wille. Gladys is survived by her daughter Karen Cox, (Jack, deceased May 17, 2015); daughter-in-law Sarah Wille; grandchildren Lisa Wille Pulliam (Lance), Mark Pottinger (Chris), David Wille, Jon Showalter (Suzanne); great grandchildren Conner Pulliam, Sam Pottinger, Caleb Pulliam, Harrison Showalter, Katherine Pottinger, James Showalter, and Mitchel Wille; great-great grandchild Aria Pulliam; brother in-law Arthur Wille. Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on June 12, 2015, at Stewart Funeral Home, Wamego, KS. Visitation at 10:00 a.m. Private inurnment will follow in Wamego City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Immanuel Faith Community Church at Wells Creek.