Louis L. Chilson

Louis Lee Chilson, 68, Paola, Kansas, passed away Thursday, December 23, 2021 at Olathe Medical Center due to covid. Louis was born January 3, 1953 in Axtell, KS to parents Willis “Papa” Keithley and Florence Spille Chilson. He grew up in Seneca, KS with his mom and family until she became ill. He was then placed into foster care at the age of 10. At the age of 14 he was placed with Ira and Mable Sinclair on their Paola farm. He attended Paola High School where he excelled in welding and in FFA and graduated with the class of 1971. Louis loved welding and was a welder for 28 years. Some of the places he worked were Kansas Ironworks, Ruskin Metal and M-C Fab. He was always pointing out projects that he completed such as several water towers all across Miami County and the bell tower at the Osawatomie Catholic Church. His favorite project was a purification semi-trailer that was at the time the largest and heaviest trailer ever to be moved on a Kansas highway. Louis was then a mechanic for the State of Kansas at the Osawatomie State Hospital for 22 years until he retired in 2018. Some of his hobbies included working on and fixing his classic cars. He was always a Mopar man that liked to tease his Chevy friends. He loved his projects around the home that were creative in design and usually well planned. It didn’t matter what needed to be fixed or repaired, one way or another he would figure it out. He would always spend a lot of time researching before tackling any project. Louis was always very resourceful with finding ways to make something out of nothing and make it into awesome. He above everything loved his family. He would spend time with them whenever possible whether it was a holiday, birthday, or sporting event of the grandkids. His family loved his drop in visits. He never knew a stranger and when possible would lend a hand to anyone. He is survived by his wife of 29 years, RoseAnne of the home; his son Matthew (wife Nichole) Chilson; grandkids Quintin and Bailey of Osawatomie, KS, Scott (Brooke) Stecklein, Ashley and Austin of Olathe, KS, Angela (husband Nick) Hampson, Madison, Cletus and Faith of Osawatomie, KS, Doug (wife Dawn) Stecklein, Reece and Avery of Olathe, KS, Will (wife Jenn) Stecklein, Tyler, Gage, Jace and Zayden of Spring Hill, KS; sister Geraldine (husband Delton) Beikman of Lynn, KS; foster siblings Ralph Miller, Shirley (husband Larry) Walker and Helen (husband Larry) Tagler all of Paola, KS, along with numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, foster parents, sister Connie Chilson Bontrager, and brother Wayne Cornelius. Family and friends are encouraged to post their memories and condolences on Louis' tribute wall.