ELLINWOOD — Sally S. Bayer, 76, passed away peacefully on Dec. 3, 2018, at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kan. She died of natural causes.  

Sally was born at home in Greenwood County, Kan. to loving parents Christopher “Harmon” Meadows and Clara “Louise” (Sanders) Meadows on Oct. 10, 1942. She spent her childhood with them and her two sisters Imogene and Carol in Ellinwood, Kan. where she attended elementary and high school. Sally was a proud graduate of Fort Hays State University where she earned a master’s degree in fine arts. Upon graduation, she moved to Wichita where she taught art in high school.

Sally married James “Jim” Shaw and they had a son James in Wichita, Kan. on Nov. 4, 1967. James was Sally’s only child and the joy of her life. Sally and Jim divorced, and Sally moved back to Ellinwood to be closer to family and raise her son. She worked with her sister Imogene at Werner’s Early Childhood Center in Great Bend, Kan. for many years. Sally eventually married Amos Bayer and moved with him to rural Rice County. She and James enjoyed living on the farm and helping Amos with all the farming activities. Sally and Amos eventually divorced.

Sally was a kind person always going out of her way to help others. Later in life she lived with and was the loving caregiver for her mother Clara “Louise” Meadows. She also began selling specialty advertising across western Kansas for Newton Manufacturing Company of Newton, Iowa. She enjoyed working with her customers and took great interest in them. She even had the opportunity to sell products to her alma mater Fort Hays State University which was fun for her and made her quite proud. Sally was happiest when she was helping others and will be remembered for her kind and caring heart.  

Sally Bayer was preceded in death by her father, Harmon Meadows; her mother, Louise Meadows; her sisters, Carol Smith and Imogene Werner; and her former husband, Amos Bayer. She is survived by her son, James Shaw, of Great Bend; her special grandson, Zachary Allsbury and his wife, Bryanna, of Durant, Okla.; and her many in-laws, nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews.  

Funeral service will be held at Immanuel United Church of Christ in Ellinwood on Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018, at 10 a.m. with Pastor Bill Johnson officiating. Burial will follow at Lakin-Comanche Cemetery, Ellinwood. Viewing is scheduled from 1-8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 7, with family present from 7-8 at Minnis Chapel in Ellinwood. Donations in memory of Sally Bayer may be made to the Ellinwood Hospital Foundation or the Ellinwood Ambulance Service in care of Minnis Chapel, PO Box 246, Ellinwood, KS 67526.   

Funeral arrangements provided by

Minnis Chapel 

PO Box 246 

Ellinwood, KS 67526

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Dec. 5, 2018