She grew up on a farm during the “Great Depression” and it greatly impacted her life. She was a proud graduate of Riverton High School Class of 1938. She married Earl Oliver Staton on Valentine’s Day 1942 in Columbus, Kansas. She loved horses and had many memorable experiences traveling with Earl and their antique cars.
Estella is survived by daughters, Earleene Qualls Spaulding and Sue Smith and husband, Ed; sons-in-law, David Gaines and Joe Pliler; twelve grandchildren; twenty- six great grandchildren; and twenty-eight great-great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband Earl; daughters Mary Ann Pliler and Alice Gaines; sisters Delene Pickering Fields and Lucille Bybee; and one brother, Leonard Vanhorn.
Estella was a life member of the Baxter Springs Historical Society along with her husband, Earl. She and Earl were very involved in the original construction of the Baxter Springs Heritage Center and Museum and the Ft. Blair Civil War Restoration Project. They spend many hours volunteering at the museum. She was an avid genealogist and did extensive research on the founder of Baxter Springs, John J. Baxter and his family.
Graveside services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, February 19, 2022, in the Baxter Springs Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the Baxter Springs Historical Society and may be left in the care of the Baxter Springs Heritage Center and Museum.
Funeral services are under the direction of the Derfelt Funeral Home Baxter Chapel.