Fay Jeaune Lyle

Lyle, Fay Jeanne Acker Wagner, age 89, retired registered nurse, Certified Rehabilitation Nurse and Rehabilitation Nurse Education Coordinator, died Friday, July 10, 2026.

Fay was born May 14, 1937, in Junction City, Kansas. She married James Wilbur Lyle, Jr. “Jim” on August 22, 1959, and together they shared 49 years of marriage and raised their four children. Fay devoted her professional life to nursing, rehabilitation, and education. She received her nursing education from Mercy School of Nursing in Fort Scott, Kansas, and became a registered nurse and Certified Rehabilitation Nurse. She worked as a staff nurse in physical rehabilitation and later served as Rehabilitation Nurse Education Coordinator at St. Joseph Medical Center in Wichita. Throughout her career, Fay helped educate and prepare nurses, nursing assistants, and other healthcare professionals. She taught clinical nursing and medical terminology at Wichita Area Vocational-Technical School and held a lifetime Kansas Adult Health Occupations teaching certificate. She helped develop rehabilitation certification and staff-development programs and presented educational programs on stroke rehabilitation, head injuries, and neuromuscular disorders. She also founded Rehab Strategies, evaluating nursing homes for the State of Kansas.

Fay was active in the Kansas Association of Rehabilitation Nurses, serving as secretary, president-elect and president. Her professional accomplishments and dedication to helping others were recognized through her inclusion in the National Distinguished Service Registry.

Outside of her professional life, Fay enjoyed playing the piano, biking, sports, music, and traveling. She will be remembered for her compassion, her commitment to learning and service, and the loving care she gave to her family, patients, students, and colleagues.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 49 years, James Wilbur Lyle, Jr. “Jim”; her parents, Maxine L. Wagner and Ray Wagner.

Survivors include her daughter, Linda J. (David) LaFleur, Avon Lake, Ohio; sons, Michael E. (Elena) Lyle, Kansas City, Mark D. Lyle, Wichita, and John E. (Julie) Lyle, Topeka; thirteen grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m., followed by the Recitation of the Rosary at 10:00 a.m.
and the Funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, July 24, 2026, all at St. Mary’s Church,
2300 E. Meadowlark Road, Derby, Kansas 67037.

A memorial has been established with Colonial Oaks at Leawood, 5201 W. 143rd St., Leawood, KS 66224, to benefit the caregivers who cared for Fay for many years. Make checks out to Shawna Webb and mail to Colonial Oaks.