Dolores Jane Willis

Dolores Jane Chapman (Bean, Willis) passed away on Friday, May 16, 2025 at NMC Health with loved ones by her side. She was born September 27, 1939 to Ed and Neva Chapman in Abilene, Kansas.

Dolores was the youngest of 6 that included 2 brothers and 3 sisters. The family resided in Abilene where she graduated in 1957.

Dolores married Ralph Bean in 1958. This union produced 3 children but would end in divorce in 1972. She remarried in 1973 and 1 child came of this marriage to Rex Willis. Both husbands preceded her in death.

Dolores lived in Junction City, Kansas for a number of years and briefly in Colorado but finally settled back in Abilene to raise her family.

She worked in several jobs during her high school to adult life. In high school she worked at the local theater. Dolores worked at the Duckwall Alco offices from 1974 to 1999 when she “retired”. Soon after her “retirement” she went to work at RHV in Abilene where she was employed for another 15 years from 2000-2015. After that, she decided to slow it down a bit so she went to work at Wests Country Mart, 3 days a week until 2019 when she moved with family to the Wichita area.

Unfortunately, in late 2021, Dolores’s health started to decline due to illness brought on by Covid. After a stay in the hospital, she went to live in a wonderful facility in Newton, Kansas where she could have professional care with her on-going health concerns. Staff members got to know and love Dolores and she will be deeply missed by many at the facility.

Dolores loved tending to a garden and flowers each year and watching all the birds around her home. One of her family’s greatest joys was watching her chase the squirrels away from her bird feeders!! She enjoyed playing cards, going out to eat and people watching!! Family times were always a high-light for her, especially around the holidays.

She is survived by daughters Angela Schneider (Richard) and Stephane Pate (JC), 5 grandchildren, Jered Bean (Jaci), Kris Schneider (Danielle Brill-Holt) Calli Schneider, Dakota Faulkner (Katie) and Brock Faulkner and 3 great-grandchildren, Eli Johnson, Shelton Holt and Joey Brill. And her beloved poodle, Bella.

Along with both husbands, Dolores was also preceded in death by her 3 infant children, her son Shawn Bean, daughter Victoria Marsellis and numerous other relatives. She lost all 5 of her siblings prior to her own death, brothers Kenneth Chapman and Gene Chapman, and 3 sisters, Virginia Keane, Ruth Kooken and Betty Knepper.

Anyone who knew Delo for at least 5 minutes, had a story. Albeit probably somewhat inappropriate!! To that end, the family has decided to hold a celebration of life on Saturday, June 7th from 1-5 in the afternoon at the Garfield commons area. Please feel free to come as you are and share your stories of this wonderful lady!!

In lieu of flowers, memorials in her honor can be sent to: Good Shepherd Hospice, 301 N. Main St. #300, Newton, KS 67114.