Della Fay Schoonover

Della Fay Schoonover was born May 30, 1931, at Princeton, in Franklin County, Kansas. She was the daughter of Clarence William and Grace Elizabeth Irene (Hubbard) Miller. Mrs. Schoonover was a near lifelong Ottawa, Kansas resident, moving to California in 1969, living in Los Angeles and San Diego. In 1972, she returned to Ottawa, where she made her home until her death Wednesday, February 5, 2003, at the age of seventy-one years. Della attended Ottawa High School with the class of 1949. She was employed for seventeen years as an inspector for Bendix-King Radio in Ottawa. Della was a member of Calvary Baptist Church and later attended Agap' Christian Center. She was also a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Post #5901 Auxiliary, and Aerie Lodge #2700, Fraternal Order of Eagles Auxiliary, all of Ottawa. Della was an outgoing person who was lots of fun to spend time with. She was an avid reader and especially enjoyed reading and collecting poetry. She enjoyed gardening and caring for her flowers and loved to go camping and fishing with her family. Most precious to Della was the time she spent with her grandchildren, who brought her so much joy. On September 22, 1951, Della was united in marriage with Ralph H. Schoonover at Yuma, Arizona. He preceded her in death on January 7, 1978. She is also preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Grace Miller; stepfather, Alonzo Cashmore; son, Andy Sterling Schoonover; and great-granddaughter, Elizabeth Diane Barber. She is survived by her daughter, Sandra Kaye Beatty Sanchez of Altus, Oklahoma; son, J. W. Schoonover of Ottawa; half brother, Paul Miller of Illinois; four granddaughters, Kimberly Barber, Candy DeAnn Beatty, Leslie Marie Schoonover, Lisa Ann Marez; grandson, Travis Wade Beatty; five great-grandsons, Leonard Theodore Barber, III, Troy Marez, Jr., Santana Marez, Rami Miller, Sterling Miller; and two great-granddaughters, Cherokee Barber and Savanna Marez. SERVICES: Funeral services will be held from the Dengel & Son Mortuary 2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 8, 2003, with V.F.W. services by Post #5901 Auxiliary. OFFICIATING CLERGY: Pastor Michael Schooley, Rev. William Weber. IN STATE: Mrs. Schoonover will lie in state at the Dengel & Son Mortuary after 1:00 p.m. Friday to the service hour, where the family will meet with friends 7 to 8:00 Friday evening. CEMETERY: Highland Cemetery, Ottawa, Kansas. MEMORIALS: The family suggests memorials to American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Association, or American Heart Association, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.