Melea Gunther - Smith

Melea Gunther-Smith – age 78 of Kansas City, MO passed away Easter morning, April 21st, 2019 at Pleasant Valley Nursing and Rehab.  Melea was born on August 15th, 1940 at home in Dighton, Kansas the daughter of Henry Iver “Hap” and Emily Catharine (Miles) Gunther.  She was a 1958 graduate of Dighton High School.  Melea taught elementary school and was a receptionist for a law firm in Kansas City.  Before moving to Liberty in 1978 she had lived in Lawrence, KS, California, Milan, MO, Shell Knob, MO and Spencer, IA. Melea had been a resident of Kansas City since 1997.  She was a member of the Liberty United Methodist Church.  Melea was loyal to her friends and family.  She enjoyed going to plays and the dinner theater.  Melea was a great cook and an expert homemaker. She took great pride in her home.  Melea loved everything Kansas.  She was an expert conversationalist and enjoyed travelling. Melea will be dearly missed by her loving family.

Mrs. Gunther-Smith was preceded in death by her parents. Those left to mourn her passing and celebrate her life include: daughter, Janna (Chris) Perlinger; son, Justin (Stacy) Smith; Catharine (Lisa Conner) Smith; sister, Gerry Gunther; brother, Miles (Lori) Gunther; grandchildren: Audrey King, Elizabeth Perlinger, Emily Smith, Emily Conner, Eoin Conner-Smith, Matthew Perlinger; great grandsons: Xavier and Everett King.  Other extended family members also survive.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Ascend Hospice in care of Stith Family Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 11 AM Friday, June 7th, 2019 at Stith Family Funeral Home in Polo. The family will receive friends one-hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will be held at 11 AM at Dighton Cemetery in Dighton, KS on June 8th, 2019.  Online guestbook at www.stithfamilyfunerals.com

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