Peggy I. Worl

Peggy Irene O’Neill Worl, 88, of Independence, Kansas, passed away Dec. 3, 2023, at Labette Health in Parsons, Kansas. Cremation has been requested and a Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at the First Presbyterian Church in Independence. The family will greet visitors from 5–7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8, at Webb & Rodrick Chapel and Crematory.

Memorials should be directed to the First Presbyterian Church in her name.

Peggy Irene O’Neill Worl was born May 26, 1935, in Ponca City, Oklahoma, to Irene (McKay) and Lawrence Vincent O’Neill and entered eternal rest on Dec. 3, 2023. During her father’s enlistment in the Army, she moved with her mother to Independence, Kansas, and spent her childhood being cared for by her mother, grandparents, aunts and uncles. Her father died in a hunting accident when she was about 5 years old. She attended school in Independence until her senior year when her mother and stepfather moved to Coffeyville, Kansas. She graduated from Coffeyville High School in 1953.

She met her husband, Chester (Chet) Worl, while attending school in Independence. They were married Feb. 13, 1954, and lived in various towns, including Lincoln, Nebraska; Joplin, Missouri; Ottawa, Kansas; and Olathe, Kansas, before settling in Independence in the late 1960s. They were blessed with three daughters: Debbie, Kathy and Angie.

Peggy was primarily a homemaker, taking care of her children and home. After moving to Independence, she worked at Kansas Power and Electric as a bookkeeper, Deshon’s Fabric Store and as a Title I reading paraprofessional at Lincoln School.

She was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church, serving on multiple committees throughout the years. She was a member of the Presbyterian Women, 20th Century and P.E.O. She enjoyed painting, reading, sewing and cherished her friends and family dearly.

She was preceded in death by her father, Lawrence Vincent O’Neill; mother, Irene Lewis; stepfather, Alfred Lewis; her husband Chester (Chet) Worl and daughter, Debbie L. Coy.

Left to cherish her memory are two daughters: Kathy (David) Klanecky of Irving, Texas, and Angie (Dennis) Hance of Creston; granddaughters: Christa (David) Dubill and Kelli (Daren) Bernd both of Overland Park, Kansas; and Taylor (Cody) Malloy and Madison Hance (fiancé Josh Paulson) both of Urbandale; grandsons Kevin Coy of Independence and Thomas Klanecky of Irving; several nieces, nephews, cousins and great-grandchildren.

To leave a special message for the family please visit www.webbrodrickchapel.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Webb & Rodrick Chapel and Crematory.