Mary Ellen Bishop, 87, of Burden, Kansas, passed away Friday morning, January 22, 2010 at Winfield Rest Haven.

Born August 17, 1922 in Comanche, Oklahoma she was the daughter of Andrew Jackson and Effie Louise (Purtell) Brown. She was raised and received her education in Duncan, Oklahoma graduating from Duncan High School.

She married Lyle Franklin Wham on June 21, 1941 in Walters, Oklahoma. To this union four children were born. The couple later divorced. Mary was united in marriage on January 27, 1964 to Clinton Ralph Bishop in Wichita Falls, Texas. The couple moved with their three children to the Green Ranch in Latham, Kansas where Mary helped work on the ranch and was a homemaker, raising their three children. In 1992 they retired and moved to Burden, Kansas.

She enjoyed sewing, quilting, fishing, photo albums, and cooking for cowboys and family. She especially loved spending time with her grandchildren. Taking them to the One Stop for treats, making Barbie Doll clothes, taking them fishing.

Her family includes:
Her son: Kyle Wham and wife Shari of Burden;
Her daughter: Judy Lynn Wham of Las Cruces, NM; and
Her 10 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her son Lyle Franklin Wham III, her daughter Sandra Kay Wham, her three brothers and three sisters.

Graveside funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Tuesday, January 26, 2010 at Duncan Cemetery in Duncan, Oklahoma. Friends may call at Miles Funeral Service on Monday January 25, 2010 from 2:00 to 8:00 P.M., the family will greet visitors from 6:00 to 8:00 that evening.

A memorial has been established in Mary's name for Alzheimer's Association. Contributions may be made through the funeral home.