Closson, Nancy Patricia (Wallingford)

99, passed away Oct. 18, 2019. Services will be held at 1 pm, Tuesday, Oct 22, at the First Presbyterian Church of Ashland Kan. Nancy (Nan) was born February 11, 1920 to Charles and Ruth Keller Wallingford at the Wallingford home in Ashland, where Ruth died soon after giving birth. Charles later married Mabel Finfrock, the nurse who cared for Ruth during her pregnancy. Mable became a wonderful mother to Nan, her older sisters Mary and Betty, and to the older adopted siblings, Joseph and Mildred Wallingford. After graduating from Ashland High School, Nan attended Kansas Teachers College in Emporia. In 1941 she married Merle at the Wallingford home in Ashland. Their first years together were spent in St. Louis. Following Merle's service in the Navy they returned to Ashland, where Nan assisted Merle in operating the Wallingford Grain Elevator Company.  A devoted member of the First Presbyterian Church of Ashland, she served as Sunday school superintendent for several years. Nan started Ashland's first preschool kindergarten, Nan's Nursery , in her home.  She was active in PEO, Chapter BA, which her mother Ruth helped organize in 1918. (Nan later joined Chapter DJ in Wichita.)  Nan was a Girl Scout leader, Cub Scout den mother, a member of the VFW Auxiliary and member of Logan-Whitley Chapter of DAR in Kentucky. Nan enjoyed cooking, painting, writing announcements and diplomas in her own special style of script, and providing decorations for meetings and gatherings in Ashland.  A self-taught musician, she loved playing her marimba for special occasions.  Nan endeared herself to those around her by speaking to everyone she encountered and encouraging others in times of need. Nan is survived by sons, Spence (Lynda) and Dan (Shelley); grandchildren Skip (Kristin)  and Fred (Bethany); great-grandchildren Spencer and Avery; nieces/nephews Lani Hammond, Kerom Hammond, Lynette (Tom) Cablk, Maryanna (Micah) Barcus, Aaden Barcus, David (Miranda) Cablk, Millicent Wesley; step-grandchildren Tiffany (Donovan) McGlory  and Erin (David) Clark; step-great-grandchildren Devin and Trevor Davis, Cameron Jackson, and Caleah and Calvin Hollinger. Memorials to PEO, Chapter BA, Box 345, Plains, KS 67869.