Willa Jeancoffman (Neal) Gades

Willa Jean Coffman (Neal) Gades died on September 16, 2011, at the age of 90. She was born to Wilson R. Coffman and Stella (Vincent) Coffman on May 22, 1921 in Overbrook, Kansas. Mrs. Gades graduated from Topeka High School in 1937 and from Washburn University with a degree in English in 1941. While at Washburn, she was inducted into Nonoso, an honorary society, and was a member of Delta Gamma Fraternity. She was pleased to have recently attended the 70th reunion of her Washburn graduating class. She married John P. Neal, DDS, on May 22, 1948 and they had three children, Patricia (Tricia), Nancy and Paul. Dr. Neal died on May 5, 1986. She married Fred H. Gades on September 22, 1994, and their marriage continued until his death on December 28, 2004. Mrs. Gades was also preceded in death by her brothers, Wilson R. (Bud) Coffman, Jr. and Vincent T.(Bing) Coffman, and her nephew, John V. Coffman.

Mrs. Gades was active in many roles in the Delta Gamma alumnae association and received the Cable Award in 1971 from Delta Gamma. She also participated in Nonoso honorary society activities, the Topeka Dental Auxiliary, the Kansas Dental Auxiliary, and PEO. She was a member of Central Congregational Church and, more recently, First Congregational Church.

Mrs. Gades is survived by Patricia (Tricia) N. Teiber of Deerfield, Illinois, Nancy N. Scherer (Robert) of Austin, Texas, and Paul W. Neal (Christine) of Niceville, Florida. She is also survived by six grandchildren: Gregory N. Teiber of River Forest, Illinois, Katherine A. N. Teiber of Chicago, Illinois, Clint P. Neal of Misawa AFB, Japan, Katie Neal Shepherd of Middleburg, Florida, Bradley P. Scherer of Houston, Texas, and Elizabeth P. Scherer, M.D. of San Antonio, Texas. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law, Mrs. Carolyn Martin (Don) and Mrs. Margaret Coffman, and six nephews and two nieces.

A memorial service will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, September 21st, at First Congregational Church, 1701 SW Collins Ave., Topeka. Visitation will occur between 6 and 8 p.m. on Tuesday, September 20th, at Penwell-Gabel Mid-town, 1321 S.W. 10th Ave., Topeka, Ks. Remembrances may be made to the following charities: Brewster Place Foundation, 1205 SW 29th St., Topeka, Ks 66611; Topeka High School Historical Society, 800 SW 10th Ave., Topeka, Ks. 66612; Washburn University Foundation, 1729 SW MacVicar Avenue, Topeka, Ks 66604; or Delta Gamma Educational Foundation of Topeka, Inc., 1824 SW 27th St., Topeka, Ks. 66611.