Shirley Darlene (Coffman) Kahle

Shirley Darlene (Coffman) Kahle was born on February 13, 1933 to Arlie Isaac and Helen Nancy (Adams) Coffman in Colby, Kansas. She passed away at her home in Hoxie, Kansas on Sunday, July 17, 2016, at the age of 83. Shirley and her parents, sister Arlene, and brother Chuck lived in several locations in Kansas until settling in Hoxie in approximately 1945. She attended Sheridan Community High School and graduated with the Class of 1951. She was baptized in the Hoxie Presbyterian Church at an early age, and was married there on September 2, 1951 to Kenneth Neil Kahle, beginning a partnership that lasted nearly 60 years, until his passing in 2010. Shirley was a loving and devoted wife and mother, and the extremely proud Grandmother of Ryan Neil, Elizabeth, and Kelsey. She was very close to her extended family, as she frequently and lovingly served as mother and grandmother to others. She also cared for her brother and sister in their later years, often cooking for them, making frequent checks on their well being, and assisting them with many other aspects of living. She was employed outside the home for several years as an administrative assistant in the local ASCS office, followed by several years of service as the Librarian for Sheridan County. She retired in 1998 after more than 25 years as a receptionist and administrative assistant for David Leopold Accounting. Shirley was a member of the USD 412 Board of Education for twelve years, including a term as President of the Board. She was also very involved in the Hoxie Presbyterian Church, serving as an Elder beginning in 1998, and was a regular attendee at Sunday worship and Bible study until her health began to limit those activities. Her hobbies and interests included reading, geography, indoor gardening, knitting, and antiques. She was a frequent participant in many community events, such as the Sheridan County Fair, numerous fund raising activities, and most church-sponsored events. She particularly enjoyed the annual High School Homecoming events, and helped construct several award winning float entries for the Class of 1951! She was a passionate supporter of many community improvements –past and present- such as the airport, the High School auditorium, the ongoing financial support of the hospital, and the recently completed new swimming pool. In addition to her love for her immediate and extended family members, Shirley cherished the relationships she had with her many friends, some of whom she had known for nearly 70 years. Those relationships were an important part of her life, bringing her peace and comfort, especially after Ken’s passing in 2010. She was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband Ken, dear sister Arlene, and younger brother Chuck. Shirley is survived by her son, Bill of Sharpsburg, Georgia; daughter, Keri of Kansas City, Missouri; three grandchildren, Ryan Neil and Elizabeth Jordan Kahle of Overland Park, Kansas, and Kelsey Anne Henry and her husband Jo Price of London, England, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other family members and many friends. Visitation will be Thursday July 21, 2016, from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 P.M., with family receiving friends from 5:30 P.M. until 7:00 P.M at the Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be held Friday, July 22, 2016, at 10:00 A.M. at the Hoxie Presbyterian Church with Pastor Andy Sonnebourne officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to the Sheridan County Library, or the Sheridan County Historical Society and may be sent in care of Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home, PO Box 987, Hoxie, Kansas 67750. On-line condolences may be left at www.mickeyleopoldfuneral.com