Sherrill Stalnaker

Sherrill Laurine Thomas Stalnaker went to be with her heavenly father on September 6, 2008 due to complications associated with Lupus and severe heart disease. Sherrill was born February 10, 1938 in Kansas City, Missouri to Clyde and Melva Tobin Thomas. Sherrill attended Bristol Grade School and Northeast Junior/Senior High School. When she was 16, her parents became the owner/editor/publishers of the Drexel Star, Drexel, Missouri and graduated from Archie High School, Archie, Missouri. Sherrill was active in the Maywood Baptist Church as a teenager. She was the editor of the Northeast Jr. High School paper where she had the privilege of interviewing Sara Church III for that publication. At age 18, she became the Editor of the Archie Beacon, Archie Mo. In 1973, she married Daniel F. Stalnaker, Jr, who was at her side when she died. Together they traveled extensively and lived in several overseas countries. She was an active volunteer for the American Heart Association, Vice President and President of the West Texas Chapter of the Lupus Foundation. She gave informational and educational talks about Lupus and living with the disease. She was an accountant for different business, retiring in 2001 after having been comptroller for a hotel chain for 7 years. She received her accounting degree from the University of Maryland and was working on her RHIM degree when she retired.
Sherrill was preceded in death by her parents. Sherrill leaves her husband Dan, of the home, a daughter, Sherie Lynne Vermeer and husband Mark, 3 sons, Sam Gunnels and wife Nisa, Carl Stalnaker and wife Toni, Thomas Stalnaker and wife Diane, 10 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren; a sister, Kathleen Wise and husband Mel, a brother Pat Thomas and wife Trudy, 5 nieces and nephews, plus several great nieces and nephews as well as many aunts, uncles, and cousins. She also leaves a very beloved Daughter-In-Law Sandy Gunnels Cremation. A memorial service was held Friday, September 12, 2008 at the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, Missouri.
Family suggests memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association or the Lupus Foundation.