Shaylena Rosemae Gitchel was born February 21, 2005 in Hays, KS the daughter of Dustin Gitchel & Liz Maness. Shay passed away Thursday, August 24, 2017 at the Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri, at the age of 12. She attended school in Phillipsburg until moving to Hays in December of 2016.

When Shay was younger, she enjoyed riding the motorcycle with her dad or anyone that would give her a ride. She liked playing with her cousins, even though they were all boys. Shay loved animals, no matter the kind, and would attempt to bring them home. She spent her time singing, playing soccer, softball, swimming and simply hanging out with her friends, especially Sara & Austin. Shay was a friend to everyone and didn't like it when others were being bullied. She always had a smile on her face and a twinkle in her eye. She saw the best in everyone and every situation.

Shay liked hanging out at the farm with Great Grandma, Louise, and loved her cinnamon rolls. She also enjoyed spending time with Grandma Teresa. She could often be found spending time with anyone who had little kids, especially babies. She would often spend time with Aunt Donna, who would make her one of her favorite things to eat . . . Acorn Squash. She would always ask Aunt Donna to be prepared to make it the next time she would visit.

Shay loved attending churches and church camps. She even passed up on an opportunity to go to Florida with Tara on vacation so that she could attend church camp and 4-H camp.

Following her move to Hays, she attended Felten Middle School, where she was well liked and everyone was her friend. Shay, her Dad & Angela were able to do many things together. They went to "Monster Jam", "Disney on Ice" and spent time with Angela's family.

Shay was diagnosed with a grade 4 cancerous tumor on her brain stem on June 5th in Wichita, KS. It was removed on June 7th. She immediately started treatment and was doing as well as could be expected. She was able to come home on weekends, and then on July 25th an infection caused her to return to the hospital in Wichita. She was flown to Children's Mercy in Kansas City on August 4th. Shay fought hard. On August 24th, she got her wings to fly high above with no more suffering. She will be missed by all who had the joy of knowing her.

She was preceded in death by her Grandmother, Teresa Gitchel; Great Grandparents, Melvin & Louise Gitchel; and cousins, Lochlan Gitchel & Jordyn Doty.

Survivors include her father, Dustin Gitchel & Fiancé, Angela Barclay of Hays, KS; Mother, Liz Maness of Magnolia, AR; Grandparents, Rick & Sharolyn Gitchel of Phillipsburg, Doug & Bettie Meade of Shoenchen, KS & Evert & Donna Cox of Wichita; Great Grandmother, Velma Snow of Phillipsburg; Great Grandfather, Taft Yates of Lindsborg; and several aunts, uncles, great aunts & uncles, nephews, cousins and many friends.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, August 29, 2017 at the Heartland Worship Center, Agra, with Pastor Monte Brunner officiating. Burial will follow in the Fairview Cemetery, Phillipsburg.

Shaylena will lie in-state on Sunday, Aug. 27, from 5 – 9 p.m. and Monday, Aug. 28, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg, where the family will greet friends Monday evening from 6 – 8 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Shaylena Gitchel Memorial Fund.