Donnel “Dobby” Dehler Bailey (78), passed away February 23, 2018, at her home in Emporia, due to heart complications.
Dobby was born in Garden City, Ks. on October 17, 1939. She moved with her parents, Darrel and Bobby Jo McCaleb Dehler and older sister, Denise, to Emporia in 1940. She graduated from Emporia High School in 1957 and attended Kansas State Teachers College (E.S.U.) for several years, where she was a member of Alpha Sigma Alpha.
She married Donald C. Bailey on August 26, 1961, and was a life-time member of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Emporia where she was an active member of the Altar Guild.
She worked many years as the bookkeeper for Haynes Hardware store in Emporia and later worked in the Lyon County Register of Deeds office. She was an avid golf and tennis player and also enjoyed being a member of several Bridge Clubs. She was a huge outdoor enthusiast and wildlife fan, who enjoyed living with her husband Don, on their small farm in rural Lyon County for 33 years. Dobby enjoyed gardening, hiking, feeding catfish in the family pond, and watching the multitude of cardinals who flew in and around their country back yard.\Dobby and her husband were the Christmas Parade Marshals in the 2006 Emporia Christmas Parade. They celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary with a family trip to Branson, MO in 2017, with their children and grandchildren. Her grandchildren brought great joy to her life.
She was preceded in death by her parents Darrel D. and Bobby Jo McCaleb Dehler and an infant brother.
She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Donald C. Bailey; two daughters, Krista Bailey of Wichita, KS and Darcie Bailey-Pientka and husband Michael Pientka of Windsor, CO; grandchildren, Kaitlyn Commeau of Wichita, and Michael “Tripp”, Raena and Zaida Pientka all of Windsor, CO, a step-granddaughter, Ariana Pientka; and a sister Denise Dehler Tipton and her husband Dale Tipton; niece, Danette Tipton.
Her memorial service will be held 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, March 14, 2018 at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church conducted by Rev. Mark McDonald, rector. Her cremains will be placed in the St. Andrews Church Columbarium at a later date.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests three memorial funds, either the H. Dale Buck Animal Welfare Fund, Emporia Friends of the Zoo, or the St. Andrews Episcopal Church. Donations in memory of Dobby may be sent to Roberts-Blue-Barnett, 605 State St. Emporia, KS 66801. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Donnel "Dobby" Dehler Bailey, please visit our flower store.
Dobby was born in Garden City, Ks. on October 17, 1939. She moved with her parents, Darrel and Bobby Jo McCaleb Dehler and older sister, Denise, to Emporia in 1940. She graduated from Emporia High School in 1957 and attended Kansas State Teachers College (E.S.U.) for several years, where she was a member of Alpha Sigma Alpha.
She married Donald C. Bailey on August 26, 1961, and was a life-time member of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Emporia where she was an active member of the Altar Guild.
She worked many years as the bookkeeper for Haynes Hardware store in Emporia and later worked in the Lyon County Register of Deeds office. She was an avid golf and tennis player and also enjoyed being a member of several Bridge Clubs. She was a huge outdoor enthusiast and wildlife fan, who enjoyed living with her husband Don, on their small farm in rural Lyon County for 33 years. Dobby enjoyed gardening, hiking, feeding catfish in the family pond, and watching the multitude of cardinals who flew in and around their country back yard.\Dobby and her husband were the Christmas Parade Marshals in the 2006 Emporia Christmas Parade. They celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary with a family trip to Branson, MO in 2017, with their children and grandchildren. Her grandchildren brought great joy to her life.
She was preceded in death by her parents Darrel D. and Bobby Jo McCaleb Dehler and an infant brother.
She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Donald C. Bailey; two daughters, Krista Bailey of Wichita, KS and Darcie Bailey-Pientka and husband Michael Pientka of Windsor, CO; grandchildren, Kaitlyn Commeau of Wichita, and Michael “Tripp”, Raena and Zaida Pientka all of Windsor, CO, a step-granddaughter, Ariana Pientka; and a sister Denise Dehler Tipton and her husband Dale Tipton; niece, Danette Tipton.
Her memorial service will be held 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, March 14, 2018 at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church conducted by Rev. Mark McDonald, rector. Her cremains will be placed in the St. Andrews Church Columbarium at a later date.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests three memorial funds, either the H. Dale Buck Animal Welfare Fund, Emporia Friends of the Zoo, or the St. Andrews Episcopal Church. Donations in memory of Dobby may be sent to Roberts-Blue-Barnett, 605 State St. Emporia, KS 66801. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Donnel "Dobby" Dehler Bailey, please visit our flower store.
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