Carol Chlumsky

Carol Lee (Spencer) Chlumsky, born August 13, 1933, to Melvin and Edna Spencer, was the last of ten children, all being born in McPherson County. She was the “baby” of her family and her siblings played with her and cared for her throughout her lifetime. They “spoiled” her often. Her siblings all preceded her in death and include (in birth order), Bertha (Spencer) Mathes, Loren (Bill) Spencer, Fern (Spencer) Anderson, Ruth (Spencer) Buss, Hazel (Spencer) Bacon, Rosalee Pearl Spencer, Jack Spencer, Ann (Spencer) Corwin, and Melvin Spencer.

Carol grew up in the city of McPherson, graduating from McPherson High School in 1951. Until recently, Carol enjoyed meeting regularly with her group of lifelong friends from high school days. Coffee, treats and memories were shared at every gathering.

Carol and Don Chlumsky were married in McPherson in 1955 in the First Christian Church. Both were baptized and have been lifelong members. Carol taught Sunday school and also taught Bible School at the First Christian Church. In 1955, she began her life as a consummate homemaker as Don began his career of 40 years as a boiler fireman and water treater with NCRA. The couple celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in 2015.

In 1956, their son Eldon was born. Their daughter Melissa was born in 1960. Carol kept the home family activities sustained and maintained as a wife of a NCRA shift worker.

Fried chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy were her specialty along with angel food cake, “whacky” chocolate cake, poppy seed cake with white frosting, and a variety of cookies. Christmas time always included her tiny peppernuts and frosted/sprinkled sugar cookies.

Vacations were planned and enjoyed each summer as a family. Tenting at Kanopolis Lake, picnicking at the State Lake or traveling to Texas with a tent trailer were special times for the family. Carol and Don enjoyed travel spots together including shows at Branson, the majestic mountains of Colorado and numerous “gambling trips” (playing some nickel slot machines) where Mom “never lost a dime—she was always a winner.”

Carol entered into eternal rest on Thursday, December 17, 2015, at Brookdale Senior Living of McPherson. She was eighty-two.

Carol leaves her husband of the home, Don; son, Eldon and his wife, Annette, of Wichita, KS; daughter, Melissa and her husband, Mark Tipton, of McPherson, KS; four grandchildren, Josh Tipton (Elizabeth) of Topeka, KS, Christopher Chlumsky (Jen) of Salina, KS, Katharina Weiler (Jay) of Tulsa, OK, and Clinton Chlumsky (fiancée, Katie Malotte) of Wichita, KS; four great-grandchildren, Vivienne and Oliver Chlumsky of Salina, KS and Bella and Lily Tipton of Topeka, KS; two sisters-in-law, Marianne Spencer of McPherson, KS and Marie Rohr of Overland Park, KS; and many nieces and nephews and friends.

The family wants to express their appreciation and thanks to Home Health and Hospice of Reno County and the entire staff of Brookdale Senior Living of McPherson.

She LOVED all and she served her LORD and family with a smile.

She will be missed as a Wife, a Mother, a Grandmother, and a Great Grandmother and LOVED forever.

The funeral service will be at 2:00 PM, Monday, December 21, 2015, at Stockham Family Funeral Home with Rev. Lynn Scott and Rev. Tom Mayse officiating. Burial will follow at McPherson Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM, Sunday, December 20, at Stockham Family Funeral Home with family receiving friends from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

Memorial donations may be given to a charity of the donor’s choice in care of Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 North Chestnut, McPherson, KS 67460 To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Carol Chlumsky please visit our Sympathy Store.