Rowena Rose Chaple, 68, of Wichita, passed away Saturday, April 30, 2022 at Ascension Via Christi St. Francis Select Specialty Hospital. She was born October 16, 1953 in Newton, the daughter of William Oscar and Phyllis Rose (Jamison) Brown.
Rowena graduated from Newton High School with the class of 1971. She later attended nursing school at Hesston College, and eventually graduated from the University of Arizona with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration.
She worked at the Newton KMart for a few years, until its closing. Rowena then began working for the Wichita Eagle newspaper, where she worked as the Advertising Executive Accountant for 25 years, retiring in 2011. She later owned and operated her own flea market at K-15 Highway and Pawnee, with her husband Willie.
She was united in marriage to Willie Chaple on December 1, 2007 in Wichita, Kansas.
Rowena loved playing golf and was involved in the Newton Golf Club. She enjoyed reading, especially mystery novels, crafting and traveling.
She is survived by her husband, Willie of Wichita; three children, Jennifer (David) Young of Newton, Michelle (Mark) Merritt of Missouri, Brian (Megan) Funk of Newton; four step children, Sarah Johnico of Wichita, Aubrey Chaple of Wichita, Zachary (Angie) Chaple of McPherson, and Rachel (Abu) Hassan of Park City; 23 grandchildren; three surrogate grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren; sister, Mandy (Terry) Botterweck of Newton; and three brothers, Douglas (Frances) Spencer of Kihei Maui, Hawaii, Stanley (Jill) Brown of Phoenix, Arizona, and Jerry Brown of Arkansas.
Rowena was preceded in death by her parents; and two brothers, Myrl Brown and Phillip Cope.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, May 5, 2022 at Kingdom Life Ministries, Hesston. Burial will follow at Hesston Cemetery. Family will greet friends from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 4, at Miller-Ott Funeral Home, Hesston.