Louella "Vonceill" Smiley

Vonceill Smiley, age 87, of Towanda, KS, died peacefully on September 18, 2018, at Lakepoint Nursing Home in El Dorado, Kansas.

Born Louella Vonceill Swift on December 20. 1930, to Leo Swift and Norma (Rochier) Swift, “Vonceill” attended schools in Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas and even California.

Married to her high school sweetheart, Richard Ewing Smiley, at the age of 20, the family quickly grew to three children and settled down in Overland Park, Kansas. Richard worked in the aerospace industry and Vonceill was a homemaker and part time bookkeeper. The couple enjoyed traveling and especially enjoyed their timeshare in New Orleans. Von was crazy about New Orleans’ Cajun coffee!

Vonceill was preceded in death in 2005, by her husband of 52 years, Richard, and by her granddaughter, Shawna.

Von is survived by her large loving family which includes her son, Richard Ewing Smiley, Jr. and daughter-in-law, Jan Smiley of the Wichita area; son, Chester Leo Smiley and daughter-in-law, Kathy Smiley of California; daughter, Denise Smiley Tidwell Elwood; 7 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and 5 great-great grandchildren.

Vonceill loved to shop for and collect her favorite things: Beanie Babies, salt & pepper shakers, pretty china and glassware, dog figurines and various antiques. She also spoiled her two little dogs and loved rambling about on her 10 acres of land.

“Take your great sense of humor and your sweetness to heaven, dear lady. You will be missed, and your life is appreciated and celebrated always in the continuation of your family.”

A graveside funeral service will be held on Tuesday, September 25, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. at the Towanda Cemetery, 500 N. Sixth Street in Towanda, Kansas. (3 blocks east and 6 blocks north of the 4-way stop in Towanda on the east side of the road).

(In lieu of flowers, a donation to Alex’s House Dog Rescue in Kansas in Vonceill Smiley’s name would be appreciated. To donate, please visit www.Alexshouse.org and go to the PayPal link; mail to Alex’s House, 9880 SE 30th St, Rosalia, KS 67132; or call 316-321-1597.) Please sign her online guest book and leave a memory of Von at www.carlsoncolonial.com. Carlson Colonial Funeral Home will be handling her arrangements.

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