Estella Mae Vanhorn Staton, 102, Baxter Springs, died Tuesday, February 15, 2022. She was born October 9, 1919. Her parents were Homer Joseph Vanhorn and Florence Etta Keller. She was the great granddaughter of William Martin Wyatt Vanhorn and her fourth great grandfather was Nathaniel Wyatt born 1761, a Revolutionary War Veteran.
Estella grew up on a farm during the “Great Depression” and it greatly impacted her life. She was a proud graduate of Riverton High School with the class of 1938. She married Earl Oliver Staton on Valentine’s Day 1942 in Columbus. She loved horses and had many memorable experiences traveling with Earl and their antique cars.
Estella is survived by daughters, Earleene Qualls Spaulding and Sue Smith (husband, Ed); sons-in-law, David Gaines and Joe Pliler; twelve grandchildren; twentysix great grandchildren; and twenty-eight great-great grandchildren.
Estella was preceded in death by her husband Earl; daughters Mary Ann Pliler and Alice Gaines; sisters Delene Pickering Fields and Lucille Bybee; and one brother, Leonard Vanhorn.
Estella was a life member of the Baxter Springs Historical Society along with her husband, Earl. She and Earl were very involved in the original construction of the Baxter Springs Heritage Center and Museum and the Fort Blair Civil War Restoration Project. They spend many hours volunteering at the museum. She was an avid genealogist and did extensive research on the founder of Baxter Springs, John J. Baxter and his family.
Graveside services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, February 19, in the Baxter Springs Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the Baxter Springs Historical Society and may be left in the care of the Baxter Springs Heritage Center and Museum.
Funeral services are under the direction of the Derfelt Funeral Home Baxter Chapel.