Regina McElroy

Regina Josephine McElroy, age 96, of Lamar, passed away Saturday, October 16, 2010 at Good Shepherd Nursing Home in Lockwood, where she had been a resident since January 2010, after suffering a debilitating stroke.        Regina was born June 10, 1914, near Victoria, Kansas, one of the nine children of Jacob and Agnes (Leiker) Peters.  After growing up in western Kansas, Regina married Glenn M. “Sam” McElroy March 26, 1934 at Independence, Missouri.  They made their home in Kansas City, Independence, and in the Montrose-Appleton City area before moving to Asbury in 1966 and Lamar in 1968.  In addition to being a homemaker, Regina worked at Barton County Co-op from 1973 through 1986 and cleaned houses until retiring four years ago.        Always active in her community, Regina had been a member of the Pleasant Hill Extension Club, U-Kum-2 Extension Club of Asbury, and was involved with the work of the Missouri Extension Center.  She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church where she taught Sunday school and belonged to the Alter Society.  Regina enjoyed gardening, canning, embroidery, and the fellowship of family and good friends. She and Sam were avid travelers and had vacationed throughout the United States.  The highlight of Regina’s travels was a trip to Rome that gave her the opportunity to meet the Pope.        Survivors include three sons, Gerald & wife Betty McElroy, Grand Junction, Colorado, Fred & wife Sandra McElroy, Liberty, Missouri, and William McElroy, Lamar; three daughters, Benedean Peters, Independence, Missouri, Barbara Ann & husband Gene Wirsig, Deepwater, Missouri, and Cathy & husband Dan Caruthers, Lamar; a sister, Barbara Lathrom, Independence, Missouri; 34 grandchildren; 63 great-grandchildren; 34 great-great-grandchildren; one great-great-great grandson, and a large extended family.        Regina and Sam had celebrated 61 years together before his death November 27, 1995.  She was also preceded in death by her parents, Jacob & Agnes Peters; a daughter, Glenda Munsterman; a son, Melvin McElroy; four brothers, Dan John, Gene, and Jerry Peters; two sisters, Martina Owens and Helen Peters; four grandsons, Kenneth & Raymond Peters, Joseph & Mark Munsterman; and a granddaughter, Nadine McElroy.        Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, October 20th at Daniel Funeral Home where the family will receive friends after a 6:00 p.m. Rosary service Tuesday.  Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery.        Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Mary’s Building Fund or Alzheimers Association in care of Daniel Funeral Home.