Shirley Florene Flake, 73, Schell City, the daughter of Floyd Alonzo and Glessner Irene (True) Phillips, was born March 26, 1937, in Walker and passed from this life on Tuesday, April 27, 2010, at St. Joseph Medical in Kansas City.
Shirley attended school in Schell City, then graduated from Nevada High School in 1955. Later that year, she enrolled at Pittsburg State University finishing in the fall of 1958.
On Sept. 20, 1958, Shirley was united in marriage to Robert Franklin Flake and to their union three daughters were born.
She worked several years for Foremost Dairy in Nevada, then worked as a bookkeeper and parts runner for Schell City Truck and Tractor. In 1987, she became co-owner of Tri-County Equipment in Appleton City until 1993. Throughout the years, she was also a homemaker, mother and civic and community leader.
Shirley was always “on the go” to area events, ballgames, races and meetings. She was a member of the Schell City Baptist Church, was a dual Eastern Star member in the El Dorado Springs Chapter #148 where she was currently serving as Esther and Nevada Chapter #53 where she was currently serving as secretary. She was also a member of the Vernon County Democratic Committee, Fraternal Order of Eagles Auxiliary #3770, Schell City Community Betterment, Schell City Building Board, Coal Creek Helping Hands Club and was a former member of Blue Mound Grange and the White Shrine. She was a 4-H leader for more than 30 years and received her Eastern Star 50 year pin in 2005. She was committed to the Schell City Softball Association each summer to give the youth a head start to athletics.
Shirley was someone willing to help anyone or any cause. Her family has always been great supporters of this community and the surrounding area. She will be greatly missed.
Survivors include her three daughters – Cherie Kaye Roberts, and her husband, Donnie – Walker, Linda Jean Majors, and her husband, Robert – Walker, and Bobbie Jolene Harms – Bartlett, KS; eight grandchildren – Walter and Cheyanna Koshko, Chad and Jennifer Majors, Broc and Nicole Koshko, Brad and LouAnn Majors, Heather Harms, Jake Harms, Donald Roberts Jr. and Crystal Clinton; 14 great-grandchildren – Judd, Reegan, Alexia, Meleia, Ashlee, Derek, Brooklyn, Madyson, Ezra, Eziah, Dillion, Donovan and Densel; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
A graveside service with interment under the direction of Lewis-Hoagland Funeral Home was Monday, May 3, in Green Lawn Cemetery, Schell City, with Brother Doug Reynolds officiating. Music was by Paula Newman and Rick Newman. Pallbearers were – Walt Koshko, Broc Koshko, Heather Harms, Jake Harms, Donnie Roberts, Robert Majors, Chad Majors and Brad Majors. Shirley wanted to recognize all of her friends and neighbors, both here and in the surrounding communities, as her honorary pallbearers.
Arrangements were entrusted to Lewis-Hoagland Funeral Home in Schell City.
