Shirley Naill

Naill, Shirley Rae, passed away Saturday, June 16, 2012. Visitation with the family is 6:00 ~ 8:00 P.M., Friday, June 29 with the funeral service at 10:00 A.M., Saturday, June 30, both at Downing Lahey Mortuary East, 6555 E. Central, Wichita, KS, 67206. Shirley Rae Pearson was born in Emporia, Kansas, the daughter of Charles and Claudine Pearson. The family moved to Wichita when Shirley was eight. She graduated from North High School, and then became assistant bookkeeper for the Wible family, owners of Wible Ice Co and the Alaskan Ice Palace. There she met one of the regular ice skaters, Bill Naill and they were married May 6, 1950. She worked briefly at Boeing while Bill was in the Marine Corps. She eventually joined him in California for two years and was a payroll clerk at Hunts Foods. Returning to Wichita, Shirley and Bill established Artistic Cleaners, later adding formal wear rental and two Shirley Rae Bridals. At one time they owned nine stores in Wichita. In retirement they owned Polka Dot Laundry and Sport Burger, Too. When all the businesses were sold, the Naills enjoyed 18 years of traveling and pursuing their individual cultural interests; Shirleys being that of writing and being published several times. During this time also, she was a Boutique Lady at Steinmart, a position she enjoyed because of a life-long love of fashion. They both participated in Wichita Figure Skating Club events and there is a memorial at the ice rink in Bills memory. They also gave programs on the history of ice skating in Wichita. Shirley was a past member of Beta Sigma Phi, a Girl Scout leader, a charter member of Southwest Bridal Association, a past president of the Downtown Cosmo Pals, a board member of Kansas on Ice and a life-time board member of Wichita Figure Skating Club and a member of the National League of American Pen Womens, was a regular contributor to Active Aging newspaper, 53 year contributor at East Wichita Shepards Center. Bill and Shirleys 53 year marriage and partnership ended with his death, February 7, 2003. Preceded in death by brothers, Bob Pearson and Charles (Olivia) Pearson and granddaughter, Madison Naill. Survivors include her sister and brother-in-law, Colleen and George Naylor of Wichita, and brother, Eugene Pearson of Green Valley, AZ. Her children are Stephanie “Indigo” (Mike “Three Apples”) Sutra of Rice, Washington, Darian (Mike) Morgan of Queen Creek, AZ and Eric (Jennifer) of Topeka, KS. There are nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren in addition to many nephews and nieces. Memorials have been established with Active Aging, 125 South West St., Suite 105, Wichita, KS, 67213, the Wichita Childrens Home, 810 N. Holyoke, Wichita, KS, 67208 and Hospice Care of Kansas, 2622 West Central, Suite 401B, Wichita, KS, 67203.