Elizabeth Anne (McPherson)Sidlinger-Shire's Obituary
Elizabeth Anne (McPherson) Sidlinger-Shire passed away peacefully December 3, 2025, in Grove, OK. She was born October 22,1926, to Henry Edgar "Ed" and Martha Frances (Garner) McPherson in Buxton, KS. Elizabeth's mother taught her to play the piano at a very young age, and she continued playing piano and sharing music with others for all her life.
Elizabeth attended Fairview District 73 graduating as 8th grade Valedictorian of the Wilson Country Rural Schools at age 11. She attended Fredonia High School and graduated as Salutatorian at age 15 in 1942.
She worked at Stryker Oil & Gas Office and the Wilson County Treasurer's Office before her marriage. She worked from 1948-1951 in the McKrae Telephone Company business office.
Elizabeth saw John Sidlinger's serviceman's picture in a window downtown and was smitten. She was introduced to John by A.L. Baker at an American Legion dance welcoming returning servicemen from World War II. They were married on January 13, 1946, and went into farming near Earlton, KS. They moved to Fredonia in 1964, where John was serving as a Fredonia Police Officer. Elizabeth took organ lessons at the First Christian Church of Fredonia and was the organist & pianist for 57 years starting in 1965. She played for many weddings, funerals and special events including National Honor Society and was the pianist playing patriotic music for grandsons' Eagle Scout Courts of Honor in Mystic, CT. She played for the Sonshine Trio (Anita Smith, Helen Eisele and Sharon Heien) which included a trip to Iowa. She started working at the Ford Garage in 1968. She then worked at Studebaker Refrigeration starting in 1985.
John passed away in 1997. Elizabeth and Lowell Shire were married on June 17, 2000, and Lowell passed away in 2003.
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Music was her first passion, but she also loved watching or listening to KU Basketball, watching and attending KC Royals games, looking out at a beautiful full moon, playing Scrabble with family and friends and most recently playing Bingo at the retirement home. Favorite tv shows were Wheel of Fortune and Perry Mason.
Elizabeth was preceded in death by her parents, 4 brothers, Merle, Max, Don and Jessie, 3 sisters, Ruth, Venus Nell and Verna Grace. She is survived by her children, Laura Kimble Shawnee, KS; John (Jana) Sidlinger Mystic, CT; Helen (Gene) Jennings Grove, OK; Margie Glenn Wichita, KS; and Robert Sidlinger Independence, KS; 9 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild.
She was active in organizations and was treasurer for many; American Legion Auxiliary, Wilson County Republican Women, Christian Women's Fellowship, Business & Professional Women and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the First Christian Church in Fredonia, and left with or mailed to the funeral home. Online condolences may be left with www.countrysidefh.com
Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at Countryside Funeral Home with the family greeting friends from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Funeral Service will be held at the First Christian Church, 303 N. 7th St, Fredonia, KS 66736 on Friday, December 12, 2025, at 11:00 am. Funeral will be immediately followed by a Graveside service at the Fredonia Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Countryside Funeral Home 420 S. 20th St., P.O. Box 247, Fredonia, KS 66736
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