Mary Jane Gunlock, 91, of LeRoy, KS, passed away at her home on Sunday morning, February 14, 2021, from advanced Alzheimer's.

Mary Jane was born August 9, 1929, on the family farm in the Stringtown Township in Coffey County, KS, the oldest child of Alfred and Alena Williams.

She attended country schools through the eighth grade, then resided in a boarding house while attending high school in Burlington.

Mary Jane married Warren "Pete" Gunlock on January 26, 1946, at the Christian Church in Emporia, KS. The young couple spent their early years farming and raising their three young children, Keith, Kay, and Kent. Seventeen years later their daughter, Kerry, joined the family.

When the Coffey County Hospital was built Mary Jane was employed as one of the first housekeepers. Through the years she worked at numerous jobs until they purchased Gunlock Clothing on Main Street in LeRoy. Following a devastating fire Mary Jane closed the store and worked at Security Savings Bank in Iola until her retirement. After retiring she pursued her love of sewing, making curtains and table cloths and selling them through a popular craft magazine. She was very proud that her handiwork was sold in over 48 states and two foreign countries.

Mary Jane was an active member of the Assembly of God Church in LeRoy, where she served in various capacities. She attended faithfully until her illness kept her at home this past year.

She was one of the founding members of the Stringtown Bombers 4-H club, she would later serve as a 4-H leader for the same club. Through the years she was involved in Grange, EHU, and the County Extension.

In the late 1950's the family purchased a home and moved to LeRoy. Several years later a new house was built on the property which is where she resided until her death.

Mary Jane was a faithful supporter of all of her children's school activities, she particularly enjoyed the football games. When her grandchildren arrived she was a doting grandmother and also attended as many of their events as she could.

She is survived by her four children, Keith Gunlock, Kay Lankton and husband Ron, Kent Gunlock and wife Sandra, and Kerry Templeton and husband Steve; nine grandchildren, Kip, Jason, Korey, and Josh Lankton, Kendal Gunlock and Kristal LeMaster, Kaden Gunlock, Kelcie Troutman, and Kenzie Templeton; ten great-grandchildren; as well as a sister-in-law, Carlan Young, and a brother-in-law, Fred Lehman.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Pete; sisters Joann Lehman and Georgia Pryor; and brother, Donald Williams.

Private family funeral services will be held 1:30 P.M. Friday, February 19, 2021, at Jones Funeral Home in Burlington. Graveside services will follow at LeRoy Cemetery.

There will be a come and go visitation from 5:00 to 6:00 P.M. on Thursday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Assembly of God Church of LeRoy and may be sent in care of Jones Funeral Home, PO Box 277, Burlington, KS 66839.

The Funeral Service will be live streamed on Facebook Live. Use this link: https://www.facebook.com/jonesfuneralhomeburlingtonks