Sheryl Kay Gaines

Sheryl Kay Gaines, 60, of Clay Center, passed away on August 26, 2024, at the Wesley Medical Center in Wichita.

She was born on October 5, 1963, in Plainville, Kansas, to Max Keith and Melva Lorraine (Smith) Gaines.

Sheryl lived with her parents and siblings (sister Sharon Rae and brothers Jerold Max and Ronald Leroy) on the farm 15 miles northwest of Stockton, Kansas, in the Mt. Pleasant community.  She was a member of the Mt. Pleasant 4-H Club and attended Mt. Pleasant Methodist Church, where she gave her heart to Jesus at a young age.

She was a student at Stockton Elementary School from kindergarten through fourth grade when the family moved to Phillipsburg, Kansas, for a short time, then on to a farm east of Kirwin, Kansas. Sheryl attended Eastern Heights schools in Kirwin and Agra from fifth through seventh grades when the family moved back to Phillipsburg to stay. During this time, she was a member of Lakeside 4-H Club, then Silver Beaver 4-H Club, and was active in the countywide 4-H Teen Caravan and a member of the Phillips County 4-H Council.

She had her own babysitting and lawn work business and worked throughout high school at the Bird House Drive-In, Ben Franklin, and J.C. Penney. Excelling in academics, speech, and her three favorite activities: journalism, vocal music, and 4-H, Sheryl also loved cheerleading and dancing. She was a Wesleyan Church of Phillipsburg member, and graduated from Phillipsburg High School in 1982.

Sheryl attended Barton County Community College, where she majored in journalism and music. She was quickly named Features Editor of the college newspaper, The Interrobang. In her second semester, she was the Assistant Editor and became the Editor her sophomore year. Sheryl graduated with an Associate of Arts Degree in 1984 but stayed for an additional semester at BCCC to continue as a newspaper editor. While in Great Bend, she loved working as a disc jockey at Kennedy’s Claim restaurant/nightclub.

She then transferred to Kansas State University for the balance of her junior year and part of her senior year, returning to Phillipsburg in March 1986. In Manhattan, she worked as a DJ for Kennedy’s Claim and as an office assistant at Kansas Farm Bureau and Keating and Associates. 

Sheryl worked at Silver Saddle Motel, Ben Franklin, and managed Stop-2-Shop until being hired by McDill “Huck” Boyd to work at The Phillips County Review in November 1986. While she only worked there for five years, it would become her favorite job she held throughout her entire adult life. She was privileged to meet new friends and work in many facets of journalism: proofreading, writing, advertising, layout and design, editing, and more. Sheryl won many state awards for her journalism excellence, including the Kansas Press Women’s Sweepstakes Award in 1991 and two national honors.

While in Phillipsburg as an adult, she was a member of Phillipsburg United Methodist Church.

In February 1989, Sheryl was engaged to Paul Raymond Resley. Although this relationship did not culminate in marriage, she was blessed with the birth of her son, Matthew Alexander Gaines, on December 28, 1989.

In November 1991, Sheryl accepted a position with the City of Milford, where she met Steven Lee Meyer. Steve and Sheryl were married on April 17, 1993, in the Phillipsburg United Methodist Church and made their home in Milford. This union was blessed with the birth of Keath Luke Meyer on August 6, 2001. A van accident in April 2002 broke both of Sheryl’s legs and injured her back, which grew worse as she aged.

The family was involved in the local, county, and state 4-H programs, especially the photography project. Sheryl helped start Lakeside 4-H Club (1993-2008) in Milford and was a club leader for 14 years. The club was well known for its community service projects, and Sheryl played a pivotal role in many young lives. Alex won many countywide awards, while Keath participated in the Little Laker Mini 4-H Club. The family was named Geary County Family of the Year in 2003, and Sheryl was honored as Geary County Project Leader of the Year in 2004. The family sponsored countywide 4-H judging medals and trophies for several years.

She and Steve were summer baseball coaches for many years, and Sheryl served as Milford Youth Sports Director for a couple of years. She was also PTA treasurer for two years. The family was active in the Junction City First United Methodist Church. Sheryl worked at Milford until her resignation in June 2006; however, she welcomed the time spent with her sons while unemployed.

Sheryl, Alex, and Keath moved to Clay Center, Kansas, in August 2007; she and Steve were divorced on November 7, 2007. While there, Sheryl was on disability, worked in circulation at The Clay Center Dispatch, delivering newspapers for 12 years, did cigarette inventory for M&M Marketing Management of Chesterfield, Missouri, and loved being a staffing specialist for eight years at Kingdom Promotions, where she met wonderful people.

Sheryl was a member of Ebenezer United Methodist Church, six miles east of Clay Center, and wrote their weekly news for the Dispatch for over a decade. At Ebenezer, she met some of her favorite, amazing, and treasured friends. Sheryl served as chair of the church’s administrative council, was the financial secretary, and loved singing duets with Keath.
Sheryl was also welcomed as a countywide photography leader for River Valley District–Clay County 4-H. Photography was one of her biggest passions until her disabilities made it difficult for her to continue. She also served as Lincoln Creek Junior Club Leader for seven years and regular club leader for six years.

Sheryl also sponsored judging and photography awards in Clay County, where she was named the Alumni Award winner in 2016. She went on to win the Kansas State 4-H Alumni Award in 2017, an honor she was thrilled to receive.

Survivors include her sons, Matthew “Alex” and Keath, of Clay Center; siblings, Sharon and Charles Bentley of Columbia, Mo., Jerry Gaines and Charlotte Dillingham of Salina, and Ron Gaines of Phillipsburg; a niece and nephew; and a host of friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, maternal and paternal grandparents, and a step-nephew.

Sheryl was always a supportive mother of her sons’ various activities, from sports to 4-H to the arts. She loved sharing her knowledge about 4-H and photography with others. She was well-loved by many throughout her life and “gave till it hurt.” Sheryl dearly loved her family and friends, and treasured the time spent with them.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, at the Neill-Schwensen-Rook Funeral Home in Clay Center.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, at the Ebenezer United Methodist Church in rural Green, Kansas. Graveside services are scheduled for 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 4, 2024, in the Fairview Cemetery in Phillipsburg.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Ebenezer UMC, Clay/Phillips/Rooks County 4-H, American Cancer Society, or the American Heart Association. They can be sent in care of Neill-Schwensen-Rook Funeral Home, 918 7th Street, Clay Center, Kansas 67432.

Online condolences may be made at www.nsrfh.com