Maryellen Neibling, 92, with family by her side, passed away Friday morning, August 14, 2020, at home.

Friends may call at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Highland from 12 noon until 6 p.m. Sunday.

A Celebration of her life is planned for 10:30 a.m. Monday, August 17, at the Highland United Methodist-Presbyterian Church in Highland with Shane Spangler officiating.  Interment will follow at Highland Cemetery.

MASKS ARE RECOMMENDED AND SOCIAL DISTANCING ENCOURAGED

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Highland EMT Association or the Church Memorial Fund, sent in care of the funeral home, PO Box 33, 66035.

Maryellen was born in a farm home near Hiawatha, May 6, 1928, one of three children born to Earl and Lena Jasper Peterson and had lived in the northeast Kansas area nearly all of her life where she grew up, attended school and graduated from Hiawatha High School.  Maryellen attended Pittsburg State College where she obtained a teaching certificate, returning to this area to teach school.

During her life, Maryellen was a very busy individual:  her church, the Highland United Methodist-Presbyterian Church, was very important to her as she served on various committees and in different capacities.  She was a gray lady volunteer at the Hiawatha Community Hospital for many years along with volunteering to assist with bingo at Maple Heights Rehabilitation Center.  She enjoyed camping, traveling the world, and working in her flower garden and yard.  It had also been said she enjoyed going to the casino (on occasion).  All that being said, she loved her family and the time she was able to spend with them.

She married James “Harvey” Neibling, February 8, 1948, at Hiawatha.  They farmed and raised livestock northwest of Highland and lived in the same farm home for 60 years before they retired to Highland.  They have enjoyed 72 years of being together and from this union, their children:  Janet, Walter, and Kathryn were born.  After Kathryn was born, she started working in the kitchen at Hiawatha Community Hospital.  After over 20 years of service, she retired as the dietitian.

Survivors include her husband Harvey of the home, her children: Janet Tyler (Paul) of Highland, Walter Neibling (Angie) of rural Highland, Kathryn Bachman (Greg) of Hiawatha; grandchildren:  Ladonna Gilmore, Adam Tyler, Stacy Fisher, Brett Neibling, Kaitlynn Bachman, and Eli Bachman; and seven great-grandchildren.

Maryellen was preceded in death by her parents; a sister Mildred Housh, and brother Virgil Peterson.

A special message or remembrance may be sent to the family at www.chapeloaksfuneralhome.com Refer to live services at the funeral home Facebook group page:  Chapel Oaks Hiawatha & Highland KS.