Emma Lou Matile, 83, of Yates Center, passed away early Sunday morning, April 28, 2019, at Yates Center Health Care.

Emma was born on February 27, 1936, at Baldwin City, Kansas, the daughter of Rockford McKinley and Retta Ellen (Conyers) Sheeley.  She grew up in the Virgil and Quincy area, and graduated from Quincy High School in 1957.  She then worked as a CNA in Yates Center.

On January 16, 1960, Emma was married to Jearold Dee "Jerry" Matile, and they made their home in Yates Center. She was a mother and homemaker, while also doing daycare when her children were young.  When her youngest started school, she went to work as a cook at Yates Center Elementary School, where she loved her friends in the school kitchen.  She later returned to work as a CNA, first at the nursing home and then through Home Health.  Her final job was on the school's mini-bus, where she was a rider with her husband as driver, then took over as driver.

Emma enjoyed sewing and cooking, and loved to go hunting and fishing – even cleaning and cooking what they bagged.  She was keen to keep up with the latest happenings around town, and she adored her dachshund pups.

She had been a member of the United Methodist Church and Woodson County Historical Society, both in Yates Center.

Emma was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry, in 2006.  They had suffered the loss of an infant daughter, Terry Lyn Matile, in 1966.  She also was preceded by her brother, John "JR" Sheeley.

She is survived by a son, Randy Matile and wife Jamie, and a daughter, Carol Karmann and husband Kevin, all of Yates Center;  five grandchildren, Allison Garst (Brent) and Brent Matile (Anna), all of Topeka, Emily Karmann of Humboldt, Kelly Karmann of Yates Center, and Brian Karmann of Pittsburg;  four great-grandchildren, Brynlee and Adalyn Garst, and Ainsley and Bennett Matile; a sister, Susan Groves (Eric) of Peck, Kansas; a sister-in-law, Pauline Sheeley of Lenexa;  and many other relatives and good friends.

Memorial services will be at 11:00 AM on Wednesday morning, May 1, 2019, at Campbell Funeral Home.  The family will receive friends for visitation at the funeral home on Tuesday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 PM.  Private inurnment at Yates Center Cemetery will be at a later date.

Memorial contributions to "Friends for Life" may be sent in care of Campbell Funeral Home at PO Box 188, Yates Center, KS 66783.