It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Michelle Elston, who was born on November 13, 1961, and peacefully passed away on July 12, 2026. Michelle was a free-spirited woman whose kindness, strength, and deep love for her family touched the lives of everyone who had the privilege of knowing her.
Michelle dedicated 46 years of service to Honeywell, where her hard work, loyalty, and commitment earned the respect and admiration of her coworkers and friends. Throughout her career, she became affectionately known as “Magic Hands,” a nickname that reflected her remarkable skill, talent, and ability to fix or handle just about anything that came her way.
Outside of work, Michelle had a passion for sports and enjoyed many years playing softball with the Kaw Valley Kogars and Great Big Kids (GBK), as well as playing volleyball. She was also a devoted Kansas City Chiefs fan who proudly cheered on her team every season. She embraced life with enthusiasm, treasured the friendships she built over the years, and loved every opportunity to stay active.
A creative soul, Michelle found joy in arts and crafts and had an adventurous spirit that naturally drew people to her. Above all else, she cherished every moment spent with her grandchildren, who were the greatest joy of her life. She also adored her faithful dog, Sadie, whose unconditional love and loyalty brought her comfort and happiness.
Michelle is survived by her son, Jasen Hadl and his significant other, Kendall Wallace, of Lawrence; her daughter, Kayla Hadl, of Lawrence; her beloved grandchildren, Chasity Hadl, Jaden Hadl, Zarius Reed, Cymphonique Reed, Ivyana Reed, Tatum Wallace, Dominic Parton, and Alea Parton; her brother, Larry Elston; her aunt, Imogene Kilgore; and many extended family members and dear friends who will forever cherish her memory.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Cotton and Mary Jo Elston; her former husband, Dan Hadl; her life partner, Bill Nichols; her brothers, Rick Elston and Scott Elston; her sister, Jolee Elston-Erskin; her niece, Misty Nichols; and her great-nephew, Seth Quick.
Michelle will be remembered for her generous heart, independent spirit, unwavering strength, creativity, and the unconditional love she shared so freely with those around her. While her absence leaves an immeasurable void, her laughter, wisdom, and the countless memories she created will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.
Her legacy of love, resilience, and compassion will never be forgotten.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. The Funeral service will immediately follow at 2 pm. Family and friends are invited to attend, celebrate Michelle’s life, share memories, and honor the remarkable woman she was.
my condolence and prayers for her family and friends. She will be missed – walking around our second home (Honeywell) A good friend, always willing to help. Good mentor and she always listen to you and gave you a positive feedback.
Michelle you will be missed so much at work. You helped me shift my mind set coming from my previous jobs to R&O. This is not goodbye but until we meet again and you will have special place in my heart.
Michelle was my onsite psychiatrist, work buddy, and friend. The good ones always go too soon…
She’ll forever have a place in our hearts and in a lot of the airplanes in the sky!
I,along with many co-workers and friends, so sad to her of the passing of a dear friend. Michelle will be deeply missed. She was such a wonderful and caring person. My deepest prayers to her family.
I remember playing softball with Mary Jo and Michelle. Prayers to all.
I first met Michelle, like nearly everyone at Honeywell, starting off my career with the company. I was fresh off of an extremely disappointing venture where I had flown myself to the east coast to try out for a job doing aircraft wiring. There, I was handed a very poorly xeroxed set of instructions, a blueprint, and and an impossible time limit. I failed to qualify for a job I had my heart set on.
Walking into Michelle’s training room, I expected the same. Instead, I was welcomed to the company by this wonderful person. Instead of hostility, there was warmth. Instead of criticism, there was instruction. Instead of impatience, there was a dedication to help as long as necessary. Michelle truly had the spirit of a teacher that this entire site could depend on. She was a rare combination of talent, experience, and a passion for quality that made her irreplaceable. Literally millions of lives depend on the quality of work she upheld every single day; now and for decades in the future.
I did not know Michelle outside of work, but I would not be surprised to find that, for those that knew her best as friends and family, she filled roles in their lives like no one else could. It is who she was.
I cannot put into words to express how much Michelle will be missed. She was a fantastic person who cared and loved everyone. I will miss our conversations, laughter and her friendship over the years. My condolences to her family, friends and co-workers. There will be an indelible void in all our lives that only Michelle could fill. You are so missed sister!!!
We are saddened by the loss of a wonderful woman and valued coworker. Her kindness, dedication, and caring nature left a lasting impression on everyone who knew her. She was a source of encouragement, friendship, and light in our workplace, and her memory will continue to inspire us. She will be greatly missed and never forgotten.
Like so many my heart broke when I heard that Michelle had passed away. So many cherished memories. From all the wonderful King Radio/Bendex King/Honeywell parties. I could see in my mind some of the costumes and outfits Michelle wore. Baseball, bowling, the trips we took to compete and the memories we made. I can still hear her tell her mom “keep quite your going to piss her off.” When I was up to bat. I had the privilege to see Michelle become a mom and oh how she cherished Jasen and Kayla. One of her and Dan’s Forth of July parties Kayla walk into a punk and burnt her eye. Shell and I headed to the ER. While waiting for the ER doctor, I was trying to entertain Kayla and put a face with the blue medicine they used for the black light on the side of my hand. I made lips on my thumb and was using my thumb and index finger talking and saying goofy stuff. Michelle was going to make my face on my hand a little bit better. And when she went to put the blue stuff on it squirted everywhere and my entire hand turned blue. When the doctor turned out the light to look at Kayla’s eye the black light lit my hand up. We laughed so hard. While playing softball, I don’t know how but I ended up with the name Heifer not out of disrespect, but that name has stuck with me for 46 yrs. One day Michelle asked Jasen what is Hefer’s real name. He looked confused and said, “Hefer”. She said, “My name is Michelle, your Jasen. What is Hefer’s name?” Jasen couldn’t believe that I was not truely Hefer. When we talked she always shared about her grandkids, how she loved having them stay the night, how she enjoyed home, simple things like gardening, her flowers and kicking back visiting with friends. There are very few people in this world who can truly find the good in everyone, not be judgmental, and can make everyone feel that they hold a special place in their heart. Michelle was one of those few. No matter how far in-between seeing each other it always felt like yesterday when we reconnected. I will deeply miss Michelle. Know that each of you are in my thoughts and prayers, Jasen, Kayla, grandkids, friends and her co-workers. Always remembered and loved, Michelle!
So very shocked and sorry to hear about Michelle. She was the most wonderful, caring, beautiful person. She was always so sweet. Always ready to help if you needed her. Words cannot say just how special she was to those that knew her. She was always thinking about someone other than herself. She gave so much of herself to others. She was selfless. She will be so missed. She was like an angel put here on earth to help those around her. So very sorry for the families that lost this great lady. Our hearts are broken for them and all that knew and loved her. Including myself.
Michelle, I hope you realize how much you touched the lives of those who knew you. Although we were not exactly “party buddies,” as co-workers I cannot forget what you meant to me and those who came up the “line” from the Lawrence facility. Your bubbly and enthusiastic personality will carry on within our hearts. God speed girl. My life and everyone you touched are so much richer for knowing you.
Prayers for the family
Michelle was an amazing, kind, caring, and the best friend and coworker anyone could ask for. She made me feel welcome from my very first time I met her, she was always patient when teaching and her door was always open, be it to ask a question or just to talk. She was very proud of her children and grandchildren and loved to talk about them. Whenever you asked her how her family was, you could see and feel how loved they all were by her. We were all lucky to have met and known her, and she has made all our lives and us better for it, no matter how brief that time was. To the family I am so sorry for your loss and hope that our support will provide some solice in this trying time, our prayers will be with you all and if there’s anything we can do please let us know.
Shell and JoLee were flowers girls at my first wedding. Shortly after, we found they both had mumps which “went down” on my new husband!! There’s a memory!!! The family has had many heart breaks, now this. She will be missed greatly by children and the grandchildren that spent so many hours with her. I pray for peace for those who will miss her so very much!!! I love you Shell!!!!!❤️💕❤️
My deepest condolences and sincerest prayers go out to her family and friends. I will always remember her as as a caring and loving person.
To Michelle’s family, friends, & coworkers, my thoughts & prayers for you all. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 Michelle gave me my solder recertification when I transferred from Clearwater, Fl. site. Her knowledge & personality was easy to get attached to. It was my pleasure to get to know & work with her the short 2 yrs. I’ve been at Honeywell Aerospace. She will always be remembered. R.I.P. Michelle
My heart is broken. Such a wonderful and caring person. Michelle you will be truly missed as a great friend and coworker. Those grand babies were her pride and joy. Her face would always light up when she spoke of them. Until we meet again, love you so much!
I, along with many co-workers and friends, are devastated to hear of the passing of our precious friend, Michelle. Michelle was dearly loved by so many and will be so badly missed. Our hearts are broken and our deepest prayers will be for her children.