Marie Morford

Marie Arlene Bachman Morford, 86, went to her eternal rest on March 5, 2017.

Marie was born in Derby, Ks., on October 21, 1929 to George Edward and Bertha (Wear) Bachman. The second oldest of six children, she attended Cathedral High School, graduating in 1947. She married Galen Everett Morford on November 16, 1949 and moved to Newton in 1951.

Marie worked in the insurance business in Newton at Benfer Insurance, then Central Agency, and office manager and licensed representative for the State Farm Agency. In addition to her regular 8-5 employment, she was an employee of the Wichita Eagle for 31 years, delivering the morning paper until she was 81 years of age and had to retire because of a broken hip.

Marie has been an active member of St. Mary’s Church and School, and the Catholic Diocese of Wichita since moving to Newton, serving as the Director of Religious Education for St. Mary’s, as advisor for adult religious education, Regent for the Daughters of Isabella St. Joseph’s Circuit, State Regent and treasurer. She was the President of the Wichita Diocesan Council of Catholic Woman, and on the Advisory Board for the Wichita Diocesan Religious Education. Other activities included Mother to Mother Ministry and Harvey County Citizens for Life. In 1984, she was one of 28 women nominated for Newton Woman of the Year. She was an active volunteer at the Church Offices of St. Mary’s Church, and on the lunch line for St. Mary’s School until 2015.

Marie was a dedicated and loving Mother, raising three children as a single mother. She is survived by her children, Stephen (Tonya) Morford of Wichita, Cheryl (Ed) McMillan of Newton, and Phillip (Stephanie) Morford of Wichita. A loving grandmother, she is survived by 8 grandchildren, Josh Morford of Wichita, Matt (Lori) Morford of Valley Center, Meghan (Jason) Landwehr of Wichita, Mekila Morford and Krystina McMillan of Newton, Sean (Catherine) McMillan of San Antonio, TX, Samuel (Karalee) McMillan of Englewood, CO, Gregory (Isaura) McMillan of Tulsa, OK and Jennifer (Stephen) Restine of Rockport, Texas, and 19 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters, Lois (Leon) Brown of Wichita, Judy (Jay) Lindell of Texas, Gerald (Norma) Bachman of Wichita and numerous nephews and nieces.

She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, George Bachman, Jr. and Donald Bachman.

Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be said at 6:30 P.M., Thursday (March 9, 2017) at the Broadway Colonial Funeral Home.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 A.M., Friday (March 10, 2017) at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Newton.

Graveside and interment services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Friday at the Calvary Cemetery in Wichita.

Friends may call at the funeral home after 1:00 P.M. on Thursday.

A memorial has been established with the Stations of the Cross at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, contributions may be sent to Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, 120 E. Broadway, Newton, Ks. 67114.