Shirley McNickle

What a glorious reunion there was on November 5, 2025, when Shirley Meldene (Miller) McNickle, age 91, joined her Lord, her husband, many loved ones and friends. Born December 5, 1933, in Norfolk, Nebraska to Mae F. Burnham Jacobs Miller and Pierce Miller, she was the last surviving sibling of nine.

Shirley graduated from Osawatomie High School, Osawatomie, KS, in 1951. In high school she was employed by the State Mental Hospital as an office assistant where her concern for others led her to organize a library and a baseball team for the patients. She attended Kansas State Teachers College of Pittsburg where she studied business and worked as a campus secretary. Her favorite accomplishment during college was meeting the love of her life and future husband, D. Carol McNickle of Zenith, Kansas.

Shirley and Carol married on April 3, 1953 and, after finishing college, moved to the McNickle farm north of Zenith, Kansas, where they remained for 68 years. She was a dedicated farm wife. Three children were blessed to call Shirley and Carol "Mom and Dad"…Tim, Julie and Denise.

Once the kids were all in school Shirley added work outside the home while remaining very involved with school activities, sports, booster clubs and piano lessons. Stafford County Abstract & Title, CELCO and USD 349 all benefited from her skills and personality.

An active member of the Zenith Community Church, Shirley served as a Sunday School teacher, Sunday School Superintendent and member of the choir. The Mamie Volker Missionary Society was very important to her and fostered her love and support of missions. She enjoyed membership in the Extension Homemakers Union (EHU) with many of her friends. Ever a patriotic citizen, Shirley joined the Kanza Chapter of the Kansas Society Daughters of the American Revolution in 1974. She served her chapter and the State Society in many roles, but her favorite was Constitution Week Chair when she welcomed school children to "ring the bell" for liberty. Shirley enjoyed square dancing and the Couples Card Club with Carol and friends and always loved music and dancing. Special family memories included weekends together at Stafford and Wilson lakes and post-harvest summer trips to Horn Creek Family Camp in Westcliffe, Colorado.

Forever cherishing precious memories of Shirley are her children: Tim (Vicki) McNickle of Olathe, KS; Julie McNickle of Carbondale, KS and Denise (Rick) Bullock of Leawood, KS. Shirley loved being "Grandma Shirley" to Kari (John Briscoe ) McNickle of Lodi, CA; Taylor (Shing) Suiter of Decatur, GA; Kelsey (Jeff Anderson) McNickle of Stockton, CA; Emma (Jared) Goad of Blue Springs, MO; Rachel (Henry) Depew of Prairie Village, KS; and Bradley (Clara) Bullock of Colleyville, TX. Six adorable great grandkids, Watson Goad, Quincy Goad, Maebry Goad, Louis Depew, Russell Depew and James Briscoe loved hugs from their "Grammy." The McNickle farm home was always open to Shirley's many nieces and her nephews for summertime visits.

Shirley's heavenly reunion included her parents, husband, D. Carol McNickle, infant son, Bruce McNickle, eight siblings, Nancy Asborn, John Miller, Jeanene (Chuck) Buchanan, Lee (Mardella) Jacobs, Dale (Vida) Jacobs, Mel (Doreen) Jacobs, Bill (Bonnie) Jacobs, Bob Jacobs, and her sister-in-law Freda (Bill) Shuler.

Funeral services are November 22, 2025, 10:30 a.m. at Minnis Chapel, Stafford, Kansas. Visitation with the family will begin at 9:30 a.m. Suggested contributions in memory of Shirley can be made in care of Minnis Chapel to: Kansas Society Daughters of the American Revolution (KSDAR) to support their mission of Historic Preservation, Education and Patriotism, or the Stafford Food Bank. Other ways to honor Shirley are to love your neighbor, be kind, be just, be humble and to walk with the Lord.