This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: marcenath Surnames: Channell, Nieweg, Blanton Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.newmexico.counties.donaana/4351/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Las Cruces Sun News 30 May 2010 Doris L. Channell was born Doris Louise Nieweg to Dr. George Alfred and Ruth Blanton Nieweg on October 3, 1924, in La Monte, Missouri. She died May 21, 2010, at the age of 85 at her home in Las Cruces, New Mexico, as a result of malignant melanoma. Doris grew up primarily in Leavenworth, Kansas, and attended the University of Kansas (KU) where she was a member of the Alpha Delta Pi sorority. She was a pioneer in women's education in that she studied math and mechanical engineering. During WWII, she worked in an airplane factory where her chief complaint was that she was not allowed to participate in aircraft test flights because of her gender. Doris married Wesley Richard "Dick" Channell on January 9, 1944. After the war, Doris and Dick lived in Kansas City, KS where they started their family. Doris was again a pioneer in that when her youngest son started kindergarten, she returned to KU and completed her undergraduate degree in 1964 in Education to become an English teacher. She later completed her master's degree in 1968. Doris taught school in Kansas City, KS: English at Central Jr. High School and Arrowhead Jr. High School, then junior high English and high school journalism at Sumner Academy from which she retire! d in 1988. During her years in Kansas City, Doris was active in various volunteer and professional organizations including the American Red Cross, Boy Scouts as a troop leader, Camp Fire Girl/Horizon Club as a group leader, the American Legion, and was president of the Kansas Association of Teachers of English Teacher (KATE). After her retirement, she moved to Las Cruces, New Mexico. Doris continued to teach part time, Speech and English, for Dona Ana Branch Community College at White Sands Missile Range. She also co-authored several educational texts and training materials including Incident at Hawk's Hill and Junior High Language Arts for Substitute Teachers and Special Days. While in Las Cruces, Doris did volunteer work with the Civil Air Patrol and the Bureau of Land Management, and was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church. Doris and Dick had four children and are survived by all four: Wesley Richard Channell, Jr. and his wife, Deborah of Sun City West, AZ; Janet Sue Ritter and her husband Dan of Overland Park, KS; Ruth Elizabeth French and her husband Greg of Las Cruces, NM; and William George Channell of Kansas City, KS. She is also survived by six grandchildren and three great grandchildren: Erin Kathleen Channell; Daniel Patrick Ritter, IV and his wife, Robyn; Richard Kirk Ritter and his wife Yvonne; Ryan Joseph Ritter; Cortney Channell Hipsher and her husband Steven; and William Tyler Channell; great grandchildren: Joshua Logan Ritter and Liam Joseph Ritter, and Addison Jade Hipsher. She is also survived by her sister, Barbara Nieweg (Blansett) Schauer of Littleton, Colorado. Doris was preceded in death by her parents and her husband. Doris chose to be cremated and buried next to her husband at the Highland Park Cemetery in Kansas City, KS. No local services are planned. Funeral Arrangements are with La Paz - Graham's Funeral Home. To send condolences go to www.lapaz-grahams.com For those wishing to pay tribute to Doris, the family suggests donations to your local Hospice organization. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.