Gayle Darlene (Frans) Munyon was born January 5, 1935, in Washington, KS, the oldest of three daughters born to Lloyd A. Frans and Ruth (Hassler) Frans. The family lived in Washington until she was five, moving to Leavenworth and then to Atchison, where she began school. When she was in the first grade, they moved to Hiawatha where they lived for five years. In 1947 the family moved to Phillipsburg.

Gayle attended Phillipsburg High School, graduating with the class of 1953. She participated in many activities in high school including band, Y-teen, FHA, and was a cheerleader.

Upon graduation she was employed by Kansas-Nebraska Natural Gas Company. On June 20, 1954, she married her high school sweetheart, Don Munyon. They were privileged to celebrate their Golden Anniversary in 2004. Don and Gayle became the parents of three sons, Stanton Leroy born May 15, 1955; Robert Jay on July 13, 1957 and Lance Ryan on July 1, 1960.

While her sons were young, Gayle was a Cub Scout Den Mother, a Sunday school and Bible School teacher, Sunday School Superintendent and her sons' number one sports fan. She also was a circle leader in the United Methodist Church and sang in the church choir. Gayle was a member of the Charme' Federated Club in Phillipsburg for 30 years and was also a former member of the Lady Elks.

She kept books for the family produce business. When her youngest son started school she went to work for the Phillips County Review where she did several jobs over her 20 year career, working her way up to Society Editor and proofreader.

In 1985, Don and Gayle moved to Thornton, CO where she was employed by Regis Jesuit High School. She really enjoyed her work and was known as "mom" by the 700 boys who attended Regis. The couple bought a home they enjoyed remodeling and redecorating. In December 1996, Gayle retired and the couple moved back to Phillipsburg in August 1998.

Upon their return, she became involved in the many activities of the United Methodist Women. In 2005, she was honored with a Special Mission award. Gayle was also active in Alumni Association and enjoyed helping plan the annual reunion. During Christmastime, she loved cooking and giving away plates of goodies and food to family and friends. As a couple, Don and Gayle enjoyed working for the Thrift Shop, gardening and attending auctions.

She is preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Kay Becker; two sisters-in-law, Doris Jacobs and Shirley Schultz and four brothers-in-law, Charles Jacobs, Nat Berney, Bernard Melton and Roger Schultz.

She is survived by her devoted and loving husband, Don, of the home; three sons, Stan and wife, Kim, of Phillipsburg; Bob and wife, Linda, of Glen Haven, California and Lance of Owasso, OK.; four grandsons, Cory of Jackson, MS; Luke of Tulsa, OK and Jake of Owasso, OK; Alex Beim and wife, Ketino of Lawrence, KS; one great-grandson, Allesandro Beim of Lawrence, KS; one sister, Linda Roth and husband, Neal of rural Phillipsburg; brother-in-law, Ron Becker, Logan, KS; two sisters-in-law, Lois Melton, Alma, NE and Betty Berney, Phillipsburg; many nieces and nephews and a host of friends.

Funeral services will be held at 2:30 P.M. Saturday, January 28, 2012 in the United Methodist Church, Phillipsburg, with Rev. Gary Davison officiating. Burial will follow in the Fairview Cemetery, Phillipsburg.

Gayle will lie in state from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday & Friday at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg, the casket will remain closed.

Memorial contributions may be made to the United Methodist Women.