Ada Mae Churchill, age 96, of Wellsville, Kansas entered the presence of her Savior on October 14, 2012, surrounded by her family at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. She was born on September 16, 1916 in Brown City, Michigan the daughter of Oscar and Elva Dell Fieger Engel.
She grew up in the Brown City, Michigan area and was a 1935 graduate of Lapeer High School, Lapeer, Michigan.
Ada Mae was active in church and youth work. She was a member of the Lawrence Wesleyan Church. She was a minister’s wife living in Michigan, Illinois, Kentucky, Texas, Kansas, and Missouri.
Ada Mae was united in marriage with Ralph W. Churchill on October 14, 1940 in Brown City, Michigan. Ralph preceded her in death on June 30, 2004. Her parents, her son, Wayne, and her sister, Vida Westendorf preceded her in death.
Ada Mae is survived by her son, Keith (Sharon) of Wellsville, Kansas, two daughters, Ralda Wylie (David) of Lecompton, Kansas and Rachel Churchill (Ralph Smith) of Lake Ozark, Missouri, daughter-in-law Cindy Churchill of Columbia, Missouri; four grandchildren: Natalie Churchill, Heather Trotter, Ryan Wylie and Christopher Dale and nine great grandchildren.
A Memorial Service will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, October 17, 2012 at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home in Lawrence, Kansas. Visitation will be 30 minutes before the service.
The family suggests memorial contributions in her name be made to the Lawrence Wesleyan Church; c/o Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana Street, P.O. Box 1260, Lawrence, Kansas 66044.
Keith and Sharon. I am sorry to hear of Aunt Ada Mae’s passing, but glad to know she is with her Lord and all the other saints of God in glory. She has influenced so many for the Lord and I know the reunion was glorious! I am so glad that I had took the time to go and see her. I enjoyed so much visiting with her and meeting you. Sorry I was not able to come to the farewell service. Praying for your comfort and strength.
Keith & Sharon,
I just wanted to say how sorry I was to hear of Ada’s passing. She was a kind and sweet woman and will be missed. Please find comfort in knowing she is in a better place. Peace be with you and your family!
Susan Harrison
Cardiovascular/Lawrence
So sorry to hear of the passing of Ada Mae.We use to look forward to her visits to Michigan in her VW Van, and staying with us.Her family was a very important part of her life.our prayers are with you. Erwin & Linda Engel
I am sorry to say that I have never had the chance to meet Ms. Churchill’s family, but my thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. Ms. Churchill had a bigger impact on my life than she knew.
A few years ago, as a new college student, I helped Ms. Churchill around the apartment when she lived on Crossgate Drive. We both attended Lawrence Wesleyan Church, and I believe I connected with her through the church bulletin. I came to her apartment once a week to help with cleaning the place, and I also took her grocery shopping and to run other errands. Every week after I was done with the chores I got some time to sit and talk to Ms. Churchill. I learned what little I could from those weekly encounters about a life she had lived and adored – about her husband and her family and her way of life. Ms. Churchill was always so generous to me. She would crochet little rugs and doormats for my family and surprise me with them, and always had extra pastries and baked goods waiting that she would happily send home with me.
When Ms. Churchill talked about her family her face lit up. She loved to tell me stories about Wellsville and her kids. I remember she always told me the story about when she and her husband were in school together and would have to poke each other to stay awake in class. She was always so tickled at the thought of that story.
I remember also a portrait hanging in her bedroom that I always looked at when I was cleaning. It was a beautiful, nice looking young woman, and when I finally asked her who it was, she told me it was her when she was my age. As a young woman, Ms. Churchill taught me about what it means to grow older, and to lead a valuable life that you can look back on and be joyful about. I don’t have grandparents very close by, and Ms. Churchill was an example to me. I saw that she had a family that meant the world, that she loved that family and made a life with them. I really valued my relationship with Ms. Churchill.
I am going to miss you, Ms. Churchill. I wish I had gotten a chance to say goodbye, and I treasure my last memory with you – calling you on your 95th birthday and hearing your happy voice. I know that you are with Jesus now. I hope that one day when we are there together, you will share more of your stories with me.
With many thoughts and deepest sympathy to Rachel & Ralph and your family at this time.
Keith & Sharon, Sorry for your loss of your mother but you will see her again one day and she has a young body now and no pain. I know it is hard as right now you can not talk to them anymore but she is in a much better place. I want you to know I am praying for you and your family at this time. Love, Margaret E. Oler
So sorry to hear about Aunt Ada Mae passing. Please accept our sincere condolences to the family. We will be praying for all during this time of farewell until we meet again.