Elizabeth Chestnut was born June 14, 1912 to the late Sam I. and Rowena (Chappell) McWilliams on the family farm in Sheridan County, KS. She passed away July 17, 2010 at the Gove County Medical Center Long Term Care at the age of 98 years, 1 month and 3 days.

While growing up the family lived in St. Joseph, MO, Stuartsville, MO, Hollywood, CA, Hays, KS, her parents' family farm, and in Quinter.

Elizabeth graduated from Quinter High School with the class of 1931. She attended Fort Hays State College for two years. After receiving her teaching certificate, Elizabeth taught one term in a one room country school in Sheridan County, KS. On May 9, 1934, Elizabeth married Calvin Chestnut at her family farm in Sheridan County, KS. They were married nearly 72 years before Calvin's passing on April 15, 2006. Four sons and one daughter were born to that union. They farmed and raised Angus cattle for 43 years before moving to Quinter, KS.


Elizabeth was baptized into the Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church as a child and became a member of the Quinter Reformed Presbyterian Church after her marriage.

She lived the life of a busy farm wife. She enjoyed stamp collecting, reading, doing liquid embroidery, helping her husband with crafts, and having her entire family around the dinner table.


Elizabeth was a member of the Book of the Month Club, Home Demonstrations Unit, Women's Missionary Society, and in her later years, the Red Hat Club. She was also a member of the Federated Women's Club. She hosted Pandora Club even when in the Long Term Care.


Survivors include three sons, Sam Chestnut and wife, Norma, Royce Chestnut and wife, Ila, all of Quinter, and Chester Chestnut and wife, Noeline of Salina, KS; a daughter, Carolyn Copeland and husband, Dan, of Bellflower, CA; a daughter-in-law, Patty Chestnut, of Omaha, NE; 14 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, 11 great-great-grandchildren, 6 step-grandchildren, and 11 step-great-grandchildren.


Elizabeth was preceded in death by her husband, Calvin; one son, J.C.; her only sibling, Effie Mae Carter; a son-in-law, Ron Homa; a grandson, Jimmy Chestnut; and a great-grandson, Timothy Driscoll.

Services for Elizabeth will be held 10:00 AM Thursday, July 22, 2010 in Schmitt Funeral Home at Quinter, KS with Pastor Tom Chestnut officiating. Interment is in Baker Township Cemetery. Visitation is 6-8 PM Wednesday at Schmitt Funeral Home.

Memorials are suggested to the Gove County Long Term Care or the Quinter Reformed Presbyterian Church and can be sent in care of Schmitt Funeral Home, 901 S Main, Quinter, KS 67752.