Shirley Jo Everhart

Shirley Jo (Marsh) Everhart was born on November 5, 1934 to A.G. Marsh and Frances Lee (Friend) Marsh in Winfield, Kansas, and died July 22, 2025 at Winfield Senior Living. She grew up in Winfield, Kansas, where her father owned and operated Marsh's Shoe Store. Shirley graduated from Winfield High School in 1952, attended Southwestern College then transferred and graduated from Oklahoma A &M College (Oklahoma State University) in 1956. She married the love of her life, Kenneth Everhart, whom she met in Winfield when she was working at her father's shoe store. They married July 1, 1956, and celebrated 65 years of marriage before his death in 2021.
After Ken and Shirley married, they made their home in Winfield Kansas where Shirley worked as a secretary at First National Bank in Winfield and then was hired by the Winfield Board of Education to teach in the Junior High School. After their first son, Rex, was born with Down's Syndrome they moved to Wellington where Ken took a position as the Recreation Director. Shirley became active in many church, civil and social groups during their years in Wellington. She helped Ken with many community and recreation center programs and was a 50-year member of PEO. Shirley taught Sunday School and was involved in Bell Choir at the First United Methodist Church in Wellington where they were members until they returned to Winfield later in life. While raising her children in Wellington, Shirley also worked for Bob Lewis of Winfield transcribing legal documents. Additionally, she taught typing and shorthand for USD 353, before accepting a position at Plessey Midwest where she worked in the office until retirement. After she retired, she enjoyed working for her daughter, Lori, at The Mercantile for many years then worked part time for the First Presbyterian Church in Wellington. In her free time, she loved researching family genealogy, quilting and sharing her love of Abraham Lincoln.
Shirley's devotion to serving others was well known as she advocated for children with differing abilities to attend school and have access to resources to help them with developmental challenges. After moving to Wellington, there were not services available for Rex in Wellington. She took Rex to out-patient services in Winfield, then she worked with other parents to take children with differing needs to Oxford for educational purposes. In 1970, Sumner County Special Education Co-op was formed allowing Rex and others to attend school in Wellington. Shirley was elected as the first President of the Co-op and hosted the organizational meetings at her home. She and Ken also planned dances, swim parties and other events for the children and their parents that were part of the Co-op. Over the next few years, Shirley worked tirelessly with others in the community to raise money to help with the formation of Futures Unlimited including co-chairing the annual Hike-Bike. After moving to Winfield in 2009, Shirley became involved with the Cowley County Historical Society allowing her to share her love of history in a new way.
She is preceded in death by her parents, A.G. and Frances Marsh, her husband, Ken, her son, Rex, her sister Jane Lee Clift and a host of beloved in-laws. Survivors include children, Lori Oathout and husband Scot, Jeff Everhart and wife Toni, and Joni Everhart Hopkins; Grandchildren, Lyndsie Oathout and significant other Joshua McWithey, Mallory and husband Josh Sapp, McKenna and husband Zach Frederick, Jared Oathout, Jordan Hopkins, Navya Hopkins, Marshall Hopkins, Kedzie Hopkins and husband John East, Selci Hopkins, Divya Hopkins, Krista Everhart and Matthew Everhart. Great Grandchildren Emma Sapp and Liam Sapp. Step Grandchildren are Sarah and husband Nick Hale and their son Jamie Hale, Sidney and husband Brandon Pryce, and Sam Gile. She is also survived by three sisters in laws, Myrna Eastin, Barbara Wilson and Virginia Everhart and a large extended family that includes many nieces and nephews that she loved dearly.
Funeral Services for Shirley will be held at Grace United Methodist Church in Winfield at 10:30 am on Friday, August 1, 2025. An informal visitation with family will be held prior to the service at Grace UMC starting at 9:30. Burial will be at Highland Cemetery in Winfield, Kansas following the service.
The family has requested in lieu of flowers, please consider giving a memorial contribution to Future's Unlimited or to the Kenneth L. Everhart Memorial Scholarship at the Wellington Recreation Center.
Share a memory, leave condolences, or sign her digital tribute wall at www.cornejofuneralhome.com.
Arrangements by Cornejo Funeral Home + Crematory, 1030 Mission Road, Wellington, Kansas.