Shirley Marie Guthrie

Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Shirley Marie Guthrie, age 86, resident of Nevada, passed away Jan. 23, in Nevada. Shirley was born March 7, 1930, in Pittsburg, Kan., to Roy and Flossie (Holman) Claunch. Shirley spent the majority of her life in Nevada. After moving from the town of Arcadia, Kan., on June 1, 1950, she was united in marriage to James Lee (Jim) Guthrie.

She attended Nevada Public Schools and graduated with the Nevada High School Class of 1948. Upon high school graduation, she attended a business college in Springfield, Mo. and returned to Nevada to work at Thornton Bank as executive secretary to the president for several years. Shirley spent her early years in Mulberry, Kan., then Arcadia, Kan., and finally Nevada in 1960 to begin life as a full time mother and housewife.

Her new life in Nevada included raising their two sons, Lee and Mark, and a daughter, Melinda. Shirley excelled at her duties as full time mom, housewife, and supporter of her husband in their new family business Guthrie Chevrolet-Buick. Shirley's life was filled with love and generosity to all she knew but particularly to her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She enjoyed family dinners (especially holidays and birthdays), and summers at the lake with her family. As an avid bridge player she loved the time she spent playing cards with her friends. Shirley was active in PEO Sisterhood Chapter KK, Charter Member of Thalias, MFWC, Research Club, "Sandwich" Bridge Club, Bridge Club Nevada Country Club, Eastern Star, and Meals on Wheels. Always ready to work for a worthwhile club or civic organization, Shirley was known to be a hard worker and accept any task with a smile. Shirley felt it both an honor and a privilege to be one of Nevada's very first Bushwhacker queens. She was also an active member of the First Presbyterian Church Nevada. When time permitted she enjoyed sitting at her kitchen table with Jim and watching her well fed birds, and in the summertime, her many hummingbird visitors.

She will be greatly missed by her husband Jim; two sons, Lee Guthrie and his wife, Mary Love, and Mark Guthrie, both of Nevada. Memories of "Grandma Shirley" will be treasured by grandchildren, Erica Guthrie of Kansas City, Mo., and Marci Townsend and her husband, Michael, of Overland Park, Kan.; her daughter-in-law, Janet Guthrie, Nevada; great-grandchildren, Claire Townsend, and Lanie Townsend, both of Overland Park, Kan. Also by her sister-in-law, Billie McCullough and her husband, Glen, Nevada; along with her nephews, Andy McCullough and his wife, Marie, Nevada, Mike McCullough; and niece, Jamie McCullough, both of Boise, Idaho.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents Roy and Flossie Claunch, a daughter Melinda Guthrie, and one brother, David Lee Claunch.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 26, at the First Presbyterian Church Nevada. Interment will follow Newton Burial Park, Nevada. The family will receive friends at Ferry Funeral Home from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 25. Those who wish to contribute in Shirley's memory may give to the First Presbyterian Church in Nevada. You may view obituary and send condolences on line at www.ferryfuneralhome.com.