Sherrill A. Goering

Sherrill Anita Niles was born on November 7, 1942, in Emporia, Kansas, the eldest of five children of Anita Gale (Thomas) Niles and Herbert Truman Niles. She and her siblings were raised on the Niles Farm in Coffey County and attended school in Lebo, Kansas. During these early years, Sherry discovered her exceptional musical talent, becoming an accomplished pianist and winning a statewide competition in her youth. Music remained a steady and meaningful presence throughout her life.

After graduating from Lebo High School, Sherry attended Kansas State University, where she studied fashion merchandising and design and was a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority.

Following her graduation from K‑State, Sherry worked at Woolf Brothers women’s clothing store in Kansas City before marrying Donald Steven Goering of Pretty Prairie, Kansas, on July 3, 1965, at the Lebo United Methodist Church.

Sherry and Don met while at K‑State when Sherry and her sorority sisters wanted to go to the movies. One of them—a journalism student—knew a guy with a car. As anyone who knows Don might guess, he was that guy with the car, and a lifelong partnership of more than 60 years soon followed.

The newlyweds first made their home in Denison, Iowa, where Don worked at the local newspaper and Sherry worked at Montgomery Ward. They later moved to Emporia, Kansas, where both worked for the newspaper. During this time, Don, a member of the U.S. Army National Guard, was called to active duty, and the couple moved to Colorado Springs while he served at Fort Carson.

Following Don’s discharge, the couple moved to Colby, Kansas, where Don continued his newspaper career and where their daughters, Katrina and Crystal, were born. In 1975, Don and Sherry purchased the Hugoton Hermes newspaper and moved to Hugoton, Kansas, where they served as publishers for 48 years. The Hermes, a weekly newspaper serving Southwest Kansas since 1887, continues to thrive today—an enduring point of pride for the family.

Though Sherry’s official role at the Hermes was Editor, she and Don carried out countless responsibilities beyond their titles, including taking photographs at community events. Sherry was even once knocked down on the sidelines by a football player racing off the field during a Hugoton High School game—camera in hand and fully committed to capturing the moment for the paper.

Outside of her professional life, Sherry was a gifted seamstress who created many beautiful garments for her daughters, including most of their prom dresses and outfits for special occasions. Her skill, creativity, and sense of style were lovingly appreciated by her family.

Sherry and Don shared a love of travel, embarking on many memorable adventures together over the years. Of all the places they visited, New Zealand held a special place in Sherry’s heart, with South Africa a close second. During their time in New Zealand, they came upon a bagpipe competition—an unexpected experience that later inspired her wish for a bagpiper to play at her funeral.

Sherry passed away on January 4, 2026, in Wichita, Kansas. Her funeral will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at East Heights United Methodist Church in Wichita, followed by a graveside service at 2:00 pm at the First Mennonite Church Cemetery in Pretty Prairie, Kansas, accompanied by a bagpipe serenade.

Sherry is survived by her husband, Donald Steven Goering; her daughters Katrina (Brendan) Lee and Crystal (Eric) Walter, all of Wichita; and her grandsons, Jacob Walter, Jack Walter, Preston Lee, and Parker Lee. She is also survived by her siblings, Doug (Nadina) Niles of Los Angeles, CA; Clair (Terri) Niles of Ottawa, KS; Jana (Jeff) Springer of Kansas City, KS; and Rebecca Bryant of Topeka, KS.

Services will be live streamed through the church and available to view by clicking on the “Watch Funeral Services” button below.

Services in care of Downing & Lahey Mortuary – West Chapel.