Viva May (Huntington Calkins) Lacey

Viva May Huntington Calkins Lacey, 96, passed away at Meadow Lark Hills Retirement Community in Manhattan, KS on December 4, 2015. She was born in Moreland, KS on January 25, 1919 the daughter of Vernon and Viva Dodd Huntington.  At two years of age, her natural mother passed away, leaving her father to care for 3 young daughters.  Three families in the community stepped forward and adopted the young sisters.  Edgar & Clara Pauline (Lade) Calkins adopted Viva.   She was a 1938 graduate of Sheridan County High School, Hoxie, Kansas and a 1941 graduate of Central Bible Institute, Springfield, Mo.  She married William F. "Bill" Lacey on April 21, 1946 at First Assembly of God Church in Great Bend.  He died December 30, 1992.   A resident of Ellinwood since the early 1940’s, she was a homemaker and taught private piano lessons in her home.   She also belonged to the 20^th Century Club, the Ellinwood Garden Club, and the Comanche Extension Homemaker Unit all in Ellinwood and the Parnassus Club and the Central Kansas Piano Teachers League in Great Bend.  She was a former Brownie and Girl Scout leader in Ellinwood and a Sunday school teacher, Missionette leader and Women’s Missonary Club member at First Assembly of God church in Great Bend. She was also a long standing board member of the Golden Belt Community Concert Association.   

Survivors include a daughter, Charolyn K. Miller-Manry (Laroy); grandchildren, Lori Greenfield (Donald), Jill Wiechman (Aaron), and Julie Klopper.   Two step grandchildren, Rob Manry (Jenny) and Christi Abel (Jacob).  Other survivors include great-grandchildren, Christopher, Lacey and Colin Greenfield, Ella and Ava Wiechman, and Allie Klopper and step great grandchildren, Audrey, Sarah and Cassie Manry.

She was preceded in death by her parents and adoptive parents, husband, sisters, Nelta Stewart and Esther Moore, and a half-sister LaVera Miranovich.

There will be a Graveside Service at 2:00 PM on Monday December 7 at Lakin-Comanche District Cemetery in Ellinwood with Pastor Merlin Lohrke officiating. Visitation will be from 1-6 PM on Sunday December 6^th at Minnis Chapel in Ellinwood. Memorials are suggested to the Ellinwood Garden Club or Donor's Choice in care of Minnis Chapel, 113 N. Main, Ellinwood, KS 67526.