Margaret Mewhinney

Margaret Katherine Mewhinney, 84, of Gas, Kansas, died Thursday, January 22, 2009, at the Allen County Hospital in Iola, Kansas. Margaret was born September 7, 1924, at LaHarpe, Kansas, to Asa and Marie Ellen (Lundy) Skeen. She grew up at LaHarpe and attended school there. On May 4, 1940, Margaret married W.P. "Bill" Mewhinney in Iola. They made their home in Iola until moving to Gas in 1962. After they retired, they moved to Grand Lake of the Cherokees in Oklahoma until returning to Gas in 1997. Bill died April 10, 1999. Margaret worked for H.L. Miller & Son Dress Factory in Iola for 42 years. She started as a production worker, then seamstress for the designers then progressed into management. She retired as vice president of production. She enjoyed fishing, gambling and smoking. SURVIVORS: 2 Daughters: Dea Valentine of Gas, KS and Nancy Johnson & husband, Ken of Bella Vista, Arkansas 4 Grandchildren 13 Great Grandchildren 4 Great Great Grandchildren 1 Brother: Larry Skeen of California 1 Sister: Irma Bell Browshier & husband, Roger of Grove, Oklahoma Margaret was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Jim Valentine; infant sister, Frenchie Skeen; and younger brother, Jimmy Skeen. SERVICE: 10:00 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 24, 2009, at the Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Chapel in Iola. Chaplain Lloyd W. Houk will officiate. BURIAL: LaHarpe Cemetery, LaHarpe, Kansas VISITATION: 1 Hour prior to the service at the chapel. MEMORIALS: Suggested to either Allen County Healthcare Foundation (Hospice) or St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. Memorial contributions may be left with the Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Memorial Chapel of Iola, which is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences for the family may be left at www.iolafuneral.com .