Iris Maxine "Ike" Keely

Iris “Ike” Maxine Clark Keely was born on a small farm in Glen Elder, KS to Leslie Pearl Clark and Cecile Mae Clark (Gaston). The farm was a section of the original homestead of her grandfather Cyrus Gaston, a veteran of the civil war. Ike was the 11th of 12 children and the last surviving sibling which included 9 sisters and 2 brothers. All were raised in a small farmhouse without modern facilities common at that time. She, as well as her siblings, attended Lone Hill Country School and Ike boarded with a town family while attending and matriculating from Glen Elder HS. An unknown benefactor paid for her to attend Brown Mackie business school in Salina, KS. From there Ike moved to Wichita, boarding with a sister, assuming the first of many jobs held throughout her lifetime as secretary and administrative assistant for legal, real estate and banking entities. Ike retired from 1st National Bank in Wichita, KS having served for many years as secretary to the Vice President and ultimately President of The Bank. She served in numerous leadership roles in The American Institute of Banking (AIB) during her long tenure with The Bank.

Ike embraced life fully and was known by several names throughout her rich and diverse lifetime. She was married briefly to “Blondie” Meyer of Wichita, and after their divorce she married Richard E. Taylor in 1953, to which 3 children were born. Richard blessed the union with his son from a previous marriage, Mark Taylor. Following their divorce in 1976 she married Paul Keely in 1982 and they enjoyed a long and mutually fulfilling life together with their blended family inclusive of Paul’s children Paula, Scott, Deanna and Devee. Ike was a constant supporter of her children ensuring their baptism and involvement in her Christian faith, and always encouraging of their many activities. Her children and extended family benefited from the wisdom gained from her input and advice in times of need.

Ike was preceded in death by her parents, former husband Richard E. Taylor, 11 siblings, and husband Paul Keely. She is survived by her children Clark Taylor (Karen) of Missoula, MT, Marta Wright (Rick) of Manhattan, KS, David Taylor of Wichita, KS, and stepson Mark Taylor (Vicki) of Douglass, KS, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be 5-7pm Friday, March 22, with services at 10:30 am Saturday, March 23, all at Smith Mortuary in Derby. Interment will follow at Hillcrest Cemetery in Derby.