Pauline Isham

Pauline Melba Isham, age 97, of Coffeyville, KS, passed away on Monday, March 9, 2009 at Coffeyville Regional Medical Center. She was born May 15, 1911 to James Eugene and Clara Ella Wall Aitken, in Parsons, KS. Her parents moved to Caney, KS where she attended school. They moved to Coffeyville her junior year, where she graduated from high school in 1928, and Coffeyville Jr. College in 1930. After attending classes at Pittsburg Teachers College, she started her teaching career in Coffeyville, where she taught at Lowell and McKinley Grade Schools. In the Presbyterian Church of Independence, KS on May 29, 1936, she married Jack Isham, grandson of Coffeyville pioneer, John T. Isham, founder of the Isham Hardware. They moved to the rural east side of Coffeyville in 1944, where they raised two daughters. Mr. Isham passed away November 13, 1987. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church for 79 years, and served as Sunday school teacher and department superintendent, and later employed as Director of Christian Education in the Coffeyville church. She also held that position in Presbyterian Churches in Kansas City, KS, and in Alton, IL, when Jack was transferred to those cities with SinclairArco. She loved working with the youth of the church. After retirement in 1976, they returned to Coffeyville to make their home. She served as an Elder of the church and was active in the Presbyterian Womens circle. Organization affiliations included Salvation Army Auxiliary president; CRMC Auxiliary pink lady; Chapter EZ, PEO, president; PTA president; Art and Literature Club, and Zonta Club. Through the years, her interests have been cooking, which included her special pecan pie, playing bridge and other card games, crossword puzzles, sewing, crafts, and playing the organ and piano. She especially enjoyed the big family get-togethers. Survivors include two daughters: Jacqueline C.Jackie Barrett and husband, D. Rex of Coffeyville, and Janet E. Kilcoyne and husband, Cecil P. of Springfield, MO, three grandchildren: Marcia Vannoster, Ronald J. Barrett and wife Lori, of Coffeyville, and Sean Kilcoyne and wife Lisa, of Oak Grove, MO; five great-grandchildren: Jessica Vannoster, Candace Barrett and Jordyn Barrett, of Coffeyville, Riley Kilcoyne and Jesse Kilcoyne, of Oak Grove, MO; one brother: Donald E. Aitken of Independence, KS, and many special nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband, and three sisters: Dorothy Waggoner, Geraldine Willcoxon, and Wilma Jean Griffin. Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 14, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. in the First Presbyterian Church, Coffeyville, KS with the Pastor Diane Massey and Dr. Wayne Norton officiating. Interment will be at Restlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. Friends may call on Friday, March 13th from 9:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. to sign the guest register. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Friday. In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested memorial remembrances to the First Presbyterian Church in Coffeyville, and will be received at the funeral home. Penwell-Gabel Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel is in charge of arrangements.