Lois Emmert McNelly

McNelly, Lois Emmert, 93, retired interior decorator and owner of Emmert Interiors, Inc., died Tuesday, December 24, 2013. Visitation will be from 6:00 - 8:00 P.M., Friday, December 27, 2013, at Downing Lahey East Mortuary. Funeral Service will be at 2:00 P.M., Saturday, December 28, 2013, at Plymouth Congregational Church. She is survived by her husband of 45 years, Frank W. McNelly; children, Judy Emmert (Ren) Shultz of Randolph, KS, Janet Emmert (George) Antone of Wichita, KS, Jim (Steff) Emmert of Wichita, KS, Joan Emmert (Lin) Silvertooth of New Castle, CO, Jean Emmert (Gary) Blumenthal of McLean, VA, Marilyn McNelly (Kelly) Jones of Andover, KS, Janet McNelly (Paul) Wolf of Columbus, OH; 23 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Hilda Pierson; sisters, Delores Pierson Fisher, Carole Pierson; brother, Robert “Bud” Pierson; husband, Philip M. Emmert, Jr. She was born October 16, 1920 in Emporia. In her lifetime she was a school teacher, homemaker, and interior decorator. Following the death of her first husband she established Emmert Interiors, which she operated for more than 40 years. On September 15, 1968 she married Frank McNelly. Together they raised her five children (including two sets of twins) and his two daughters. Lois was a member of Plymouth Congregational Church for nearly 50 years where she served as a Deacon and was active in the Plymouth Church Guild and taught bible school. Memorials have been established with Harden Hospice, 2622 W. Central, Suite 501, Wichita, KS 67203, and Plymouth Congregational Church, 202 N. Clifton, Wichita, KS 67208.