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 | Bryce Day
Co-Owner, Funeral Director & Embalmer
Bryce was born and raised in Wellington, the son of Betty and the late Bob Day.
A graduate of Wellington High School, he served in the United States Navy during
the Viet Nam War. After returning back to Wellington he went to Wichita State University
and then to Kansas City Kansas College of Mortuary Science. He has been a licensed funeral director
and embalmer since 1977. Bryce is an active member of the First United Methodist Church,
American Legion, Veterans Of Foreign War, Wellington Masonic Lodge, Lions Club, Big Brothers
and Big Sisters, Chamber of Commerce and is involved in many community activities.
|  | Sally Day
Co-Owner, Funeral Director
Sally, is the daughter of Wanda and the late Frank Bush. She was born and raised in
Wichita, Kansas and was employed with The Boeing Company for over 20 years as a
logistics analyst. She is a graduate of West High School and Kansas Newman University all of Wichita, Kansas.
Sally is a licensed Funeral Director. She assist's with the daily operations
of the funeral home and heads up the aftercare programs and preplanned and
prefunded funeral options. Sally is an active member of the First United Methodist Church,
PEO, Wellington Humane Society, Friends of the Library and 21st Century Book Club. |  | Tytus Cornejo
Funeral Director & Embalmer
Tytus was born and raised in Wellington, Kansas, the son of Joyce and the late Ralph Cornejo. He attended schools in Wellington and was a 2001 graduate of Wellington High School. After graduation, Tytus attended Cowley College in Arkansas City, Kansas. While there he worked at the Rindt-Erdman Funeral Home. He then transferred to the Kansas City Kansas School of Mortuary Science and was a 2003 graduate. During school, Tytus was employed at Belden-Sexton-Sumpter Funeral Chapels in Leavenworth, Kansas.
Tytus attends church at the First Freewill Baptist Church in Wellington, Kansas. He is also actively involved with the Wellington Noon Lions Club. Through the Lions Club, Tytus is a co-advisor of the Wellington High School Leo Club.
His family includes his wife April, daughter Maizy Grace Cornejo, son Ralph E. Lee Cornejo, mother Joyce Cornejo, brother Justin Cornejo and sister Jocelyn Cornejo, nephew Julian Ralph Cornejo, nieces Allarynn and Addalynn Cornejo and Jixi Cornejo-Bacon, grandparents Carmen Cornejo, Angie DeFrenchi & Bill Harris, and Jack and Joyce Burden all of Wellington, Kansas.
|  | David Mardis
Manager, Funeral Director & Embalmer
David was born and raised in Caldwell, Kansas. He is the son of Floyd and Barbara Mardis. David graduated from Caldwell High School in 1979. In 1981, he graduated from Kansas City Kansas College of Mortuary Science. He was employed by the Elliott Funeral Home in Harper, Kansas for 10 years before retuning to his hometown in 1990 where he managed the Elliott-Schaeffer Mortuary for 13 years. David and his wife, Teresa, own the Mardis Monument Company and the Nostalgia Nook in Caldwell, Kansas. They have two daughters, Sarah and Rebecca.
When David is not in the office or out in the cemeteries setting stones he keeps busy with his daughters activities. He is active in the community of Caldwell, Kansas. Some of his activities include working with the recycling group, being a member of the CHS Alumni Board, Master of the Masonic Lodge, and Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. David is also a member of the Talking Tombstones where he portrays John Schaeffer. |  | Curtis Foley
Funeral Director & Embalmer
Curtis Foley began his employment for the Day Funeral Home & Crematory in January of 2006. He is instrumental not only in Wellington, but at all of the business’ other branches.
Curtis was born and raised in the Kansas City area, the son of Bob and Debbie Foley. After graduating from Bonner Springs High School in 2000, he attended Neosho County Community College with a golf scholarship. He then transferred to Kansas State University for 2 years. While there, he decided to follow in his uncle’s footsteps and become involved in the funeral business. He then transferred to the Kansas City Kansas School of Mortuary Science and graduated in May of 2004.
Before moving to Wellington, he was employed for several years with the Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home in Lawrence, Kansas. It was there, while working under former Wellington natives, Al, Shorty and Bart Yost, that he felt his decision to be in the funeral industry was right for him.
Curtis enjoys the home-like atmosphere of Wellington and especially being able to recognize people in the comminity. He is a member of the Wellington “Noon” Lions Club and the Wellington Golf Club.
Curtis, wife Amber and daughter Halle, all enjoy establishing relationships within our community and assisting the families that he is privileged to serve.
|  | Teresa Mardis
Funeral Director
Teresa Mardis, daughter of Henry "Bud" and Luella Mayer, was raised in Norwich, Kansas. She graduated from Norwich High School and went on to attend Hutchinson Community Junior College and Kansas State University, where she graduated with a degree in Home Economics Education. She taught Home Economics before marrying David Mardis in 1984.
She became a licensed Funeral Director in 1986. Teresa worked with David at the Elliott Funeral Home and Elliott-Schaeffer Mortuary in Caldwell, Kansas for 18 years.
When Teresa is not helping in the office, she keeps busy with gardening, canning, and crafting. She also keeps busy with their two girls school activities. Rebecca is a junior at Caldwell High School, while their oldest daughter Sarah is begining her first year of college. |  | Ken Everhart
Assistant Funeral Director
Ken is a licensed assistant funeral director. He works funerals and visitations. He and his wife, Shirley, have lived in Wellington for 40 years and have raised their four children, Rex, Lori, Jeff and Joni in this community.
Ken graduated from Dodge City High School and Southwestern College at Winfield, Kansas. Following graduation from college, he was a teacher and coach in Winfield for four years before moving to Wellington in 1961. He was the Superintendent of Recreation for USD 353 for 32 years retiring in 1994. Following retirement, Ken operated Ken's Tour for several years.
Ken is a member of the First United Methodist Church and the American Legion. He is involved in various other community activities. |  | Susan Nance
Assistant Funeral Director, Pre-Need Counselor
She handles the day to day operations of the pre-need department and is a licensed Assistant Funeral Director. She has been active in the funeral business for many years. Susan was born and raised in Wellington, Kansas, the daughter of Gerry Adkins and the late Don Adkins. She graduated from Wellington High School in 1972. Susan attended Emporia State University in Emporia, Kansas. It was there that she met and married Tim Nance. They chose to return to Wellington to raise their family. Together they have been parents to 49 foster children as well as their own children. Daughter Kristan is married to Shawn DeJarnett. They live in Wellington and have five children; Ben, Addyson, Baylee, Annika and Elly. Daughter Shannon is married to Paul Whipple. They live in Beloit, Kansas with their children, Katie and Kevin. Sons David, Ben and Clay all live in Wellington. David is married to Kelly (Silcott) Nance and they have two children, Rhett and Maddie. Susan is a member of the First Southern Baptist Church where she co-teaches the College and Careers Sunday School Class. |  | Shirley Shinliver
Funeral Home Assistant
Shirley is at the Argonia location. Her duties at the funeral home include assisting on visitations and funeral services.
She is a Sumner County native, born in Bluff City, Kansas and moved to Argonia in 1942. She was married to Donald Eugene “Spud” Koehler on June 1, 1957 and had been married for over 45 years until his death on October 12, 2002. She has four sons, Doug Koehler of Mayfield, Kansas, Bryan Koehler of Argonia, Kansas, Kent Koehler of Bel Aire, Kansas and Scott Koehler of Gardner, Kansas and nine grandchildren.
For over 30 years, Shirley has worked for the Argonia School District # 359 and for over 22 years at St. Lukes Hospital now Sumner Regional Medical Center as a Certified Nurse Assistant. She does volunteer work as a Emergency Medical Technician for the Argonia Volunteer Ambulance and for the Argonia Frontier Association. Her hobbies are working in the yard, flowers and scrapbooking. She enjoys her time with her family and friends and is very much involved in her grandchildren’s activities.
Shirley is a member of the Immaculate Conception Church-St. Joan of Arch Catholic Church and the Altar Society in Danville, Kansas.
|  | Donnis Whaley
Funeral Home Assistant
Donnis Whaley was born in Wellington, Kansas. She graduated from Wellington High School in 1956. She attended Phillips University in Enid, Oklahoma and Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas. Donnis graduated with a Bachelor of Music in 1960 and a Masters in Education in 1988. She taught Music at Udall, Kansas, 4th Grade at Kennedy Elementary, English and History at Wellington Junior High School, and was Music Teacher for Washington and Eisenhower Elementary Schools in USD #353. Donnis retired after 30 years of teaching in 1998.
Donnis married Robert Whaley, Christmas Eve of 1959 and they have lived in the Wellington area all of their married life. They have 3 sons, Steven, a Junior High Teacher and Football Coach at Coffeyville, Kansas, Todd and his wife Karen, a Salesman for Hub Supply in Wichita, and Greg and his wife Heather, Vice President of Hanover Insurance Company in Omaha, Nebraska. Donnis and Robert have nine grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.
Donnis is a member of the Wellington Baptist Temple. She is a member of Kappa Kappa Iota Gamma Conclave where she has served as president and secretary. She gives private piano lessons at her home and enjoys sewing and quilting along with playing the piano, organ, and other instruments. |  | Garnett Craig
Funeral Home Assistant
Garnett, works visitations and funeral services, answers the phone and performs general office duties. She is a Sumner County native, born and raised in South Haven, Kansas. She and her husband Bill of 56 years have lived in Wellington since 1956. They have three children, six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
She has been active in the business community all her life having served as bookkeeper for the OTASCO store for 10 years, Standard Oil Company for 6 ˝ years and with Dr.’s Karl Moberg, Tom White and Bruce Kater for 15 years. She retired in 1990. She and her husband traveled and wintered in Rockport, Texas.They now enjoy the comforts of their home in Wellington and their grandchildren.
She is an active member of the First Baptist Church, Life member of the Wellington PTA, past president of Business and Professional Women and was woman of the year, member of Soroptimist, VFW Auxiliary and the American Legion Auxiliary all of Wellington.
|  | Betty Day
Funeral Home Assistant
Betty is the mother of Bryce. She works visitations and funeral services.
She has worked in the public for a number of years including credit manager of Sears Catalog Store, secretary for Production Credit Union and bookkeeper for Wellington Lumber and Supply Company. She also worked in the Sumner County Treasurers office for thirteen years. Betty retired in 1989. She is an active member of the First United Methodist Church, Sumner County Regional Medical Center Auxiliary and Widows club of Wellington.
|  | Claudia Ehlers
Funeral Home Assistant
Claudia Ehlers was born and raised in and around Oklahoma City, Oklahoma graduating from Choctaw High School, Choctaw, Oklahoma in 1965. She attended Central State University in Edmond, Oklahoma and Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva, Oklahoma. She and her husband Eddie, a Caldwell native, have been married 31 years and have made their home in Caldwell most of that time. Eddie retired as maintenance man at the Caldwell Post Office on April 30, 2004. They have 1 daughter, Cyndi Owen. Cyndi and her husband Jeff live on a farm in Argonia. Cyndi and Jeff have 2 children, Caitlyn is 7 and Cole is 5.
Claudia has worked at Friendship Meals in Caldwell first as assistant cook and then as Site Manager for 3 years; the Caldwell Schools as a cook for 3 years; at the South Haven Schools as high school secretary for 8 years and Caldwell Pharmacy for 3 years. Besides filling in at Day Funeral Home, Claudia also works part-time at Duckwall's in Caldwell, Kansas. Claudia is the book keeper for her husband's business Better Edge Sharpening and Misc. Her interests are spending time with the grandchildren; reading and quilting. She is currently a member of the Sumner County Hospital District No. 1 Volunteer Auxiliary and the Walnut Valley Quilters Guild. |  | Karen Sturm
Funeral Home Assistant
Karen Sturm was born and raised in Caldwell, Kansas. She and her husband, Harold, have farmed in the Caldwell area for over 40 years. They are the parents of two sons and have 4 granddaughters. Karen is active in the Caldwell United Methodist Church where she serves as lay leader, sings in the choir, and is a certified lay speaker for the west conference. She is the tourism director for the Caldwell Chamber of Commerce and is currently serving as Chamber President. Karen also serves on the board of the Caldwell Historical Society and the Kansas Cattletown Coalition. As a native of Caldwell, she feels it is a special privilege to assist families in their time of need. |
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