Lillian Rooney

Lillian (Walton) Rooney, daughter of Moses A. Walton and Carrie (Bestwick) Walton, was born at Sabetha, Kansas, December 24, 1907. She went to be with her Lord on December 31, 2008.

She was a graduate of Sabetha High School, attended Highland Community College one year, received a BS degree in education from Peru State University and her Masters Degree in education from Emporia State University.

Lillian taught school in Brown County, at Albany in Nemaha County and in the Seneca public Junior High School.

She was a member of the National Education Association, the Kansas State Teachers' Association, National Retired Teachers' Association and the Nemaha County Retired Teachers. She was a long time member of the United Brethren Church where she held various offices and was church pianist for many years.

Lillian was married to Ward B. Rooney in 1927. Ward passed away October 20, 1988.

Survivors include two daughters, Bonnie (Mrs. Elmo) Stites of Colorado Springs, Colorado and Candace (Mrs. Richard) Ryan of Louisville, Kentucky. Also surviving are sons-in-law Elmo Stites and Richard Ryan. There are seven grandchildren including Jackie Stites Watkins (deceased), JaDee Stites Langston Dolphin, Tracy Earl Stites, Carin Allen Veech, Christa Allen Smith, Danny Allen and David Allen. One brother, Dale Walton of Augusta, Kansas survives as well as several great grandchildren.

Preceding Lillian in death were her husband, Ward, her brothers, Ivan, Lawrence and Kenneth as well as her sisters, Lila Martsolf, Mabel Gladwin and Pansy Fowler. A son-in-law, David Allen also preceded her in death.

Funeral services will be held Friday, January 2, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at the Popkess Mortuary Chapel in Sabetha. A family visitation will take place one hour prior to the funeral. Interment will be held at the Sabetha Cemetery.