Lula "Lu" Ann Fink

Lula Ann Gillies Fink, the daughter of Lovie Margaret Chamberlain Gillies and Thomas Carlton Gillies, was born January 28,1935 at their home in eastern Wilson County, KS. She attended rural schools in the County until her family moved to Salida, CO when she was in second grade. In the midst of World War II, her family moved to Washington state where her father worked as a civilian on an army base where they were working on the atomic bomb. After the war, her family spent time in Idaho helping with the potato harvest before returning to LaFontaine. She attended school there until her junior year of high school when she transferred to Fredonia. She graduated from Wichita East High School in 1952.

On July 24, 1959 she married Jerry Glenn Fink in Wichita where they made their home until 1962. They returned to Fredonia where they have lived the past 58 years. Lu worked for Rex Lafferty as his legal secretary for many years. She also was instrumental, with her husband and brother, in starting Aerospace Manufacturing which continues to operate in Fredonia today as LMI Aerostructures. Following retirement, Lu enjoyed volunteer work with Meals on Wheels and the Fredonia Food Bank. She was an active member of the First United Methodist Church in Fredonia.

Survivors include her husband Jerry of the home, children Deb and husband Greg Wells of Fredonia, Barb and husband Mike Rosen of Denver, CO, and David and wife Deanna Fink of Fredonia. Grandchildren include Lisa Wells Huebner and husband Jason of Emporia, Heather Lorentz of Fredonia, Taryn Miller Owen and husband Davis of Gardner, Stephanie Mellon Jasnoski of Olathe, Collin Mellon and wife Hollie of Overland Park, Jamie Fink Gunn and husband Jacob of Prairie Village, Josh Fink and wife Abbey of Grove, OK, Jonas Fink and wife Megan of Fredonia. Great grandchildren are Olivia, Annalie, and Sam Huebner of Emporia, Emily, Camryn, and Ryan Jasnoski of Olathe, Carson and Lauren Myers and Jackson Mellon of Overland Park, Elijah Lorentz of Emporia, Teaghan Richards of Wheatridge, CO, Nathan Lewis of Fredonia, Mason, Claire, Isabel, and Henry Owen of Gardner, Ethan and Charlie Gunn of Prairie Village, Briggs, Jace, and Harper Fink of Grove, OK, Xavier, Yates, Zayd, and Axl Fink of Fredonia. She is also survived by one great great granddaughter, Amariyah Lorentz of Emporia.

Lu's parents Tom and Lovie, sisters Velma, Mildred, Dorothy, and Naomi and brothers Glenn, Howard and Richard, and one grandson, Ryan Mellon preceded her in death.

Services will be held Monday, October 19, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. at the Methodist Church in Fredonia. A private family burial will be at the Farmington Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Fredonia Food Bank which may be left at Wickham Family Funeral Home in Fredonia.

The family requests all who attend the service wear masks and practice social distancing.