Donna Lee Brandon, 95, of Chanute, Kansas passed away on Monday, March 2, 2026 at Credo Senior Living. Donna was born on September 25, 1930 in Yates Center, the daughter of Oliver and Jaunita Sturdivan.
Donna moved to Chanute as a teenager and graduated from Chanute High School in 1948. She later married Kenneth Ray Childers on June 10, 1950. Donna worked alongside him at their restaurant The Busy Bee while raising their four children (Mark, Marsha, Kim, and Karen). Kenneth died in 1977.
Donna began working for the City of Chanute Utilities Department where she met and later married Spencer Brandon in 1982. Donna and Spencer enjoyed spending time at Grand Lake where they eventually moved for several years before returning to Chanute. Spencer passed away in 2019.
Donna was very involved in her church and community. She was a member of the Otterbein Community Church for over 70 years where she happily contributed her time and energy to many ministries. Donna was on the board of the Chanute Recreation Commission for over two decades. Her love for music led to her involvement in the St. Cecilia’s music club and Jubilee Singers. Spending time with her family, however, was her greatest joy.
Donna leaves behind a loving family who will cherish her memory, including her sons Mark (Susan) Childers, Chanute, and Kim (Kim) Childers, Olathe; her daughters Marsha (Tom) Bryon, Leawood, Karen (Phillip) Stich, Chanute, Tammy Schillings, Tulsa, and daughter-in-law Tammi Brandon. Donna is also survived by her brother Joe (Marilyn) Ingle and brother-in-law Dean (Andrea) Brandon. She also leaves behind many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Donna is preceded in death by her parents Oliver and Jaunita, and her stepfather Raymond Ingle; husband Kenneth Childers and husband Spencer Brandon; sister Margie Pennell and brothers Ronald Sturdivan, Don Ingle, and Gary Ingle; sons Tim Brandon, Todd Brandon, and son-in-law Pat Schillings; great grandson Ty Ingels.
Her funeral and visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at Otterbein Community Church, 631 W. Seventh St., Chanute, KS. Visitation is at 10 am with the funeral following at 11 am. Burial at Memorial Park Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or Chanute USD 413 Foundation. Memorial contributions may be left with or mailed to Countryside Funeral Home, 101 N. Highland, Chanute, KS 66720.
