Shirley Ann Chambers
03-09-1935 to 08-16-2019
Linn County News
Published Aug. 21, 2019
Shirley Ann Chambers, 84, amazing mother, grandmother, great grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt and mammie to many, passed away peacefully surrounded by family, Friday, Aug. 16, 2019, at Prairie Elder Care Home in Overland Park, Kan. Shirley was born in Fort Scott, Kan., March 9, 1935, to Cleatis Carl and Thelma Mae (Cummings) Duncan.
She had to drop out of high school with the passing of her mother when she was 16. She then helped raise her younger siblings. She worked at the local drug store counter and Mercy Hospital. The nuns at Mercy taught her to make pies, which was just the beginning of her famous pie making skills. Being from a family with little means, she would buy a yard of fabric after receiving her paycheck on Fridays and go home and make a skirt for a date that night. She was a self-taught master chef, baker, gardener, artist, seamstress, designer and entertainer.
She married William (Bill) Gerald Chambers on Sept. 12, 1953. They moved to Johnson County and raised their family. Bill and Shirley opened and operated many companies during their 52 years of marriage. In 1991 they moved to La Cygne, Kan., for their retirement. She loved to host her famous brunches, and that love grew into hosting luncheons, showers and weddings. She believed everyone deserved the wedding of their dreams, and she made sure they did.
Her wisdom and comforting nature always shined through as with the passing of her husband. She said, “In memory there is a resurrection of the life of a spirit. Memory is our hold on to the past, our solace in the present and our hope in the future.” When you think of Shirley, may you remember her love, kindness, generosity and tenacity she had for life. May her smile illuminate your path and brighten your way.
She was extremely proud of her family and the love they have for one another. She loved teaching her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren life lessons. She loved unconditionally and had the most giving spirit, a true disciple of our Lord Jesus Christ. Her love for him was evident in every part of her daily life. She was a true follower of Christ and lived in his word.
Shirley is survived by her brother, Dean (Barbara) Duncan, of La Cygne; sisters-in-law Jaunita (Chambers) Long of La Cygne and Sue (Moore) Duncan of Overland Park; four daughters, Ruth Anne Lawrence of Stilwell, Kan., Susan Gaye (Kenny) Walker of La Cygne, Janet Lea (Walt) Eldridge of La Cygne, and Linda Jo (Steve) Hisel of La Cygne; a son, Robert “Jerry” (Jamie) Chambers, of La Cygne; 19 grandchildren; and 44 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Thelma and Carl Duncan; her husband, Bill Chambers; infant son William Gerald Chambers Jr.; brother Dennis Duncan; sisters Donna (Duncan) Parker and Doris (Duncan) Belcher; brothers-in-law Joe Chambers, Jim Chambers, Vernon Long and John Parker; sisters-in-law Virginia (Salmon) Chambers and Sally (Bremerkamp) Chambers; and son-in-law Steve Lawrence.
We were blessed to find the perfect home for Mom in her final years at Prairie Elder Care. The caretakers and staff took great care of her, showing her love and compassion. Ascend Hospice stepped in and provided much comfort to not only Mom but to our whole family. We are so blessed and grateful for them all.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, La Cygne. Burial will be at Fort Scott National Cemetery. The rosary will be prayed at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday at the church, followed by sharing of memories and visitation until 7 p.m. at the church.
Contributions are suggested to Grady's Kids or Shirley Chamber Dementia Foundation, c/o Schneider Funeral Home, P.O. Box 304, La Cygne, KS 66040. Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com.
OBITUARIES
Jean Driskell ~ 03-22-1943 to 07-18-2025

Linn County News Published July 23, 2025 Jean Driskell, age 82, formerly of La Cygne, Kan., passed away Friday, July 18, 2025. Memorial service will be held 7 p.m. Thursday, July 24, 2025, at the Schneider Funeral Home, La Cygne Chapel. Visitation... [More]
Burton Clyde Brownback ~ 05-21-1953 to 07-13-2025

Linn County News Published July 16, 2025 Burton Clyde Brownback, age 72, Tri-Ko resident in Osawatomie, Kan., passed away Sunday, July 13, 2025. He was born on May 21, 1953, in Kansas City, Mo., the son of Clyde and Shirley Drake Brownback. He graduated from Prairie View... [More]
Ruth Ann Antrim ~ 05-21-1951 to 07-07-2025

Linn County News Published July 16, 2025 Ruth Ann Antrim, formerly Hueston, passed away July 7, 2025, after bravely battling cancer for many years. Ruth Ann was 74 years old. She lived and worked in the Mound City and Fort Scott, Kan., areas her... [More]
More Obituaries
- Helen Maxine Wright ~ 05-28-1939 to 06-19-2025
- Kelly Kehl ~ 03-25-1938 to 06-28-2025
- Kandi Kay Cruse ~ 03-29-1958 to 06-27-2025
- Jessica Cae Pritchett ~ 08-30-1981 to 06-26-2025
- Jackie Junior “Jack” Hewitt ~ 07-17-1935 to 06-18-2025
- Priscilla “Pat” Haney Smith ~ 11-19-1935 to 06-07-2025
- Ron Arbogast ~ 08-31-1946 to 06-05-2025
- Richard “Dick” Smith ~ 04-18-1942 to 06-22-2025
NEWS
Special: Resurfacing to begin on U.S. 69 in Linn County

A Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) resurfacing project on U.S. 69 in Linn County will begin the week of July 28. The project will resurface U.S. 69 with ultrathin bonded asphalt for just over 7 miles from Pleasanton to just north of... [More]
Pleasanton FD again at center of heated discussion

The majority of heated discussion came at the end of the Pleasanton City Council meeting Monday night during council discussion when Council people Bill Skipper and Angelina Randall squared off concerning the recent ISO inspection that occurred at the fire department. Skipper... [More]
La Cygne city to be below revenue neutral

Ad valorem revenue will decrease by almost $16,600, levy by over 7.6 mills The city of La Cygne will not only be revenue neutral but actually below neutral on its 2026 municipal budget. That was the report from Jodi Wade, city clerk, at last Wednesday’s regular... [More]
More News
- USD 362 files revenue-neutral exceedances
- Commissioners discuss airport future, request more information
- SPECIAL: Resurfacing on U.S. 59 in Anderson County to begin in August 4
- Commissioners vote to exceed revenue neutral
- Mulberry Limestone CUP approved by P & Z
- SPECIAL: Benefits question an issue for county employees
- Commissioners discuss various budgets
- City learns of fire gear condition
SPORTS
Pleasanton trapshooting team shows grit at National Championship

Eight members of the Pleasanton Trapshooting Team traveled to Mason, Mich., last week to compete in the USA Clay Target League National Championship. Five members participated in the team event, and all eight competed individually. The team was among 264 qualified teams competing... [More]
Blue Mound softball earns second place at Crest

The Blue Mound girls’ coach pitch team 1 places second at the TRL girls’ coach pitch tournament at Colony. The tournament took place from July 7 to July 9.
More Sports
- Nobodys wins Blue Mound co-ed softball tournament
- Pleasanton 12-14 baseball wins championship
- Gratton at Nationals
- Summer Ball Tournaments
- Summer Ball Tournaments
- Pleasanton/Jayhawk trapshooting team places seventh at State, Wallace earns State championship
- Joey Ewalt impacting youth wrestling here and abroad
- Prairie View trapshooting competes at State
OBITUARIES POLICY
• May be mailed, e-mailed, faxed or hand delivered.
• Must be received by 9 a.m. on Tuesday morning in order to appear in that week's edition.
• Obituaries submitted by funeral homes will be billed to the funeral home.
• Full obituaries submitted by individuals are required to be paid in advance.
• Cost: $40 for 300 words or less. Each additional word over 300, 10¢. Photograph $5.
Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com

