Mary Ellen Burks

Mary Ellen Hurst was born to George and Alberta Hurst in Shattuck, Oklahoma on October 22, 1930. The family moved to Wichita, Kansas in 1943. Mary graduated from Wichita East High School in 1948 and attended Venus Beauty School graduating in 1949. After graduation, she worked in Beloit, Kansas where she met and married Ronald Burks on November 12, 1950. Shortly after their marriage Ronnie joined the Navy and was stationed in Norfolk, Virginia where Mary Ellen joined him. After 4 years in the Navy they came back to Wichita to live and she taught in the same Beauty School she graduated from for 5 years. Mary Ellen and Ronnie had two daughters, DeAnna and Dawna. In 1973 the family moved to Nebraska for 12 years then Mary Ellen and Ronnie returned to Wichita in 1985. Mary Ellen worked for Montgomery Ward for 19 years before retiring. She is survived by her daughters, DeAnna (Brad) Mullins and Dawna (Brad) Bechtel; two grandsons, Grant and Aaron Bechtel; step granddaughter, Katy (Danny) Bevan; and step Great grandchildren, Jewell Flores, Hunter Bevan, and Collin Bevan. Funeral service will be 1:00 p.m. Saturday, August 20, 2016 with visitation prior at Resthaven Mortuary Chapel. Memorials may be sent to Central Avenue United Methodist Church, 4920 W Central Ave, Wichita, KS 67212.