It is sad to announce that Barbara Kay Niehls, 73, (ex Class of 1963) of Jacksonville died Friday, May 5, 2017, surrounded by her family at the home of her daughter.
She was born September 1, 1943, the daughter of Roy Sr. and Bernice Warnaka Kerley. She married Kenneth L. Niehls on November 11, 1962, in Jacksonville and he preceded her in death on July 7, 2012.
She is survived by one daughter, Cheryl (James) Stratton of South Jacksonville; two granddaughters, Stacey (Michael) Helmich and Laurie (Daniel) Mattes, both of Jacksonville; five great-grandsons, Eli, Ezekiel and Everett Helmich and Waylon and Henry Mattes; and two sisters, Shirley (John) Baird of Santa Monica, California, and Francie Chute of Owasso, Oklahoma. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; two brothers and two sisters, Roy Kerley Jr. (surviving wife, Meryl of Cypress), Marjorie Ryan, and Dale Kerley and Mary Elizabeth Kerley, both in infancy.
Mrs. Niehls devoted her life to caring for others. She was a member of Westfair Baptist Church and enjoyed doing crafts and visiting with friends. Her house was open to everyone, and no one left without a hug. Most of all, she enjoyed being with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 10, 2017, at Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home in Jacksonville, with the Rev. Andy Chute officiating. Burial will follow at Diamond Grove Cemetery. The family will meet friends from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Jacksonville Deaf Bible Church. Condolences may be left online at buchanancody.com.
