Doris Jean (Tyler) McKelvy Swiler's Obituary
Doris Jean (Tyler) McKelvy Swiler, 94, of rural Chanute left her home to be with her Lord on March 25, 2016, surrounded by her loving family. She was born Sept. 21, 1921 in Chanute to Bert and Rena Wright Tyler. Doris graduated 9th grade in Chanute and worked as a young woman in Wichita and the Chanute area. She married Lester Clarence McKelvy Oct. 6, 1937 in Iola, Kansas. From this union they had four children. He preceded her in death on Dec. 15, 1966 at their home. They purchased a farm near Chanute in 1943, and in 1950 built their dream home, in which she had since resided. Doris accepted the Lord as her Savior in 1953, and later was a member and served as Sunday school teacher and secretary/treasurer of South Valley Chapel, before becoming a member of Thayer Christian Church. She was a homemaker and assisted her husband on the family farm. She started cooking at the Hillcrest School when the hot lunch program began and worked in the Chanute school district for 26 years, retiring in 1986. She had a strong career work ethic, rarely missing a day even during snow storms, setting an example for her children and others. She loved cooking, trying new recipes and always enjoying new tastes.
She made cookies by the dozens for Cherry Street Youth Center for many years and always had a supply of cookies in her home freezer for visiting grandchildren and other family. She was a foods project leader for the Willing Workers 4-H Club, helping many young women develop their nutritional talents.
On June 1, 1975, she married Owen O. Swiler, who passed away in a car accident Sept. 24, 1989 near Garnett, KS. On Jan. 18, 1997 she married Oscar David Swiler, who passed away Aug. 21, 2002.
Doris is survived by her daughter, Carolyn McKelvy Swiler and husband, Glen; son Steven Lester McKelvy and partner, Paul Lee Dickens, of Kernersville, NC; five grandsons, Kenneth L. Swiler and wife, Lori; Jared Reynolds and wife, Jennifer, Parker, CO; Robert (Bob) Swiler and wife, Laurie, Erie; Rodney (Rod) March, Chanute; and Mark McKelvy, Kernersville, NC; four granddaughters, Dixye VanDuyne and husband, Steve, Westminster, CO; Brenda Tucker and husband, Mark, Bartlesville, OK; Deborah (Debbie) Vogts and husband, Chris, Erie; and Amy Ayres and husband Ronnie (Buck), High Point, NC; 21 great-grandchildren and 9 great-great grandchildren.
Doris also is survived by her step-sons, Clinton Swiler, Chanute; David Swiler and wife, Carolyn, Harlingen, TX; Kenneth W. Swiler, Chanute; and step-daughter Lynita Nelson and husband, Bill, Amber, OK; 11 step-grandchildren and 33 step great grandchildren. She also is survived by three sisters-in-law, Geneva Tyler Clem, Ruth Tyler Capolla and Norma Tyler, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Doris loved all her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and especially enjoyed the little great-great grandchildren, as well as her recent caretakers and their children. She truly will be missed by all who knew her.
In addition to three husbands, she was preceded in death by two daughters, Barbara Reynolds Swiler and Janice Buman; grandson Calvin Reynolds; four brothers, Charles Tyler, Roy Tyler, Joe Newton and Ralph Newton; and two sisters, Lola Wood and Hazel Weis.
Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, March 29, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at the Thayer Christian Church in Thayer. A visitation will be held on Monday, March 28, 2016 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Countryside Funeral Home Gibson Chapel 16 N. Forest in Chanute. Online condolences may be left at: www.countrysidefh.com. Families request memorials to Cherry Street Youth Center or Thayer Christian Church and may be left with or mailed to the funeral home. Services have been entrusted to: Countryside Funeral Home 101 N. Highland, Chanute, KS 66720.
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