Betty L. Wilburn, 88, of Atchison, KS, passed away, Thursday, April 12, 2012 at the Heartland Regional Medical Center with her family by her side. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM, Monday, April 16, 2012 at St. Joseph’s Church, with Fr. Gerard Senecal, O.S.B., as Celebrant.  Burial will follow in the Sunset Memory Gardens.  A Parish Rosary will be recited at 5:00 PM Sunday, at the Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home with visitation to follow until 7:00 PM.  Memorials in honor of Mrs. Wilburn are suggested to St. Joseph’s Church or the American Cancer Society and may be left in care of the funeral home.  Condolences to the family may be left online at www.beckerdyer.com.

Betty was born on April 12, 1924 in Sparks, KS the daughter of Charles C. and Lola E. (Miller) Searles.  She attended school at Sparks, Old Huron and 1 year at Effingham.  Betty had worked at Atchison Leather Products as a sewing machine operator.  She was a member of the St. Joseph’s Church, Northeast Kansas and Kaw Valley Quilters Guilds, the St. Joseph’s Quilting Club, Atchison Hospital Auxiliary and V.F.W. Auxiliary. Betty enjoyed time spent with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

Betty married Elmer Wilburn on May 29, 1943 in Troy, KS.  Mr. Wilburn preceded her in death on November 8, 1990.  She was also preceded in death by her son, James Wilburn in 1978; brothers, Marvin C. and Howard D. Searles and a grandson, Branden Wilburn in 1996.

Survivors include 3 sons, Jerry (Hazel Marie) Wilburn, Raymore, MO; Robert (Catherine) Wilburn, Ottawa, KS; Michael Wilburn, Atchison, KS; sister, Carrie L. Maycroft, Atchison, KS; 14 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.