Eleanor Mae McChesney

Eleanor Mae (Fry) McChesney, 91, of Clay Center, Kansas, passed away on December 23, 2025. A beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Eleanor will always be remembered for her beautiful smile, kindness, generosity, and willingness to help those in need, even strangers.

Eleanor was born on July 6, 1934, on a farm north of Belleville, Kansas, to William Bryan and Orpha (Bowersox) Fry. Eleanor grew up with her older sister, Doris (Fry) Vinsonhaler; two older brothers, William “Bill” Fry and Karl Fry and a younger sister, Marjorie (Fry) Ward. Eleanor graduated from Belleville High School in 1952.

On June 22, 1952, Eleanor married the love of her life, Jack Duane McChesney. To this union, four children were born: Patricia Obourn (husband Malcolm “Mac”); Vicki Streit (husband David); James “Jim” (wife Kathy); and Bryan (wife Lisa). She was also the loving and proud grandmother to Jennifer Willis, Chelsea McChesney, Alexandria Chastagner, Kellen Berkenpas, Rebecca Obourn, and Robert Obourn and great-grandmother to Mikaylin Willis, Jalen Mason, Parker Berkenpas, Kale Shumate, Aurelia Chastagner, and Frances Obourn. In addition to her love of family, Eleanor also had a love of animals, especially her and Jack’s dogs. Her hobbies included sewing, crafting, crocheting, and spending time with family.

After all four of her children were born, Eleanor was able to begin a new chapter in her life, pursuing her dream to become an educator. She attended Cloud County Community College in Concordia, Kansas, where she earned her Associate’s Degree. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Western Illinois University at Macomb, Illinois, where she graduated with honors in 1971. Following her graduation, Eleanor, Jack, and their family moved back to Kansas, where they settled in Clay Center. Eleanor taught high school home economics for 11 ½ years at Miltonvale. During that time, Eleanor went on to earn a Master’s degree from Kansas State University in Family and Consumer Science, completing it with honors. She also earned a second Master’s Degree from Kansas State University in School Counseling, again, completing that degree with honors. Eleanor took on a new role in education and spent the next 15 years as a secondary school counselor for the Clifton-Clyde school district. During her time as a school counselor, Eleanor had the opportunity to impact the lives of many students by helping them attain their educational and vocational aspirations. She retired in 1996 but continued to substitute teach in the USD 379 school district for several years.

Eleanor was preceded in death by her husband of over 72 years, Jack McChesney; her parents, Willliam B. and Orpha Fry; her brothers, William and Karl Fry; her older sister, Doris Vinsonhaler; and a great-grandson, Archer Chastagner. She is survived by her children, grandchildren and one sister, Marjorie Ward.

A service to celebrate Eleanor’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at the Evangelical Covenant Church, 1330 15th St, Clay Center, Kansas with burial immediately following in Greenwood Cemetery. Visitation will on December 30 from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Presbyterian Manor and/or Meadowlark Hospice in care of the funeral home.

Funeral Services for Eleanor will be lived streamed through the church following the link provided below

https://youtube.com/live/OdjGt-6WKA?feature=share