1961-2026
Kelly Amos McDonald, 64 of Chanute, Kansas passed away at Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center on Tuesday, January 6, 2026. Cremation has taken place under the direction of Countryside Funeral Home and services will be scheduled at a later date once the family processes this sudden loss. Thank you for your understanding in their time of grief.
Kelly was born on November 15, 1961 in Norfolk, Virginia to Dennis and M. LaFern (Barnes) McDonald. Growing up in a military family, Kelly traveled for most of his youth before the family finally settled in Iola, Kansas. Kelly enjoyed growing up in the Midwest, this allowed him to work on the farm and tend the dairy cows with his grandfather Don, his dad and all his brothers; creating unforgettable memories and very breakable bones.
On August 3, 1990, Kelly married Debbie Bowlin. The two were married 15 years before her passing on November 22, 2005 and he continued to love her every day til his last.
Through his years, Kelly held several job titles. From working at CFI Trucking, Custom Campers, Hi Lo (Bridgewood) Cabinets, and even Amazon. Kelly was a simple man who loved the simple pleasures in life. Kelly will be remembered as a man who loved his family and showed it with little sayings like “ Tell me something new you learned at school today” or the ever popular Kelly quote, “I might not know everything, but I know every other thing.”
And his laugh and smile will be remembered for his love and respect for others and he will be deeply missed.
He is preceded in death by his dear wife, Debbie, parents, Dennis and M. Lafern, stepson, Jeremy Hamlin, and brother, Michael McDonald.
His memory will carry on with his daughter, Whitney Wissman and husband Michael of Topeka, stepson, Devon Bowlin of Parsons, stepdaughter, Melissa Hamlin of Chanute, sister, Deniece Edson and husband Rodney, brother, David McDonald and wife Penny, and grandchildren, Reed Wissman, Ethan Hamlin, and Mariah Carpenter-Hamlin.
Kelly was born on November 15, 1961 in Norfolk, Virginia to Dennis and M. LaFern (Barnes) McDonald. Growing up in a military family, Kelly traveled for most of his youth before the family finally settled in Iola, Kansas. Kelly enjoyed growing up in the Midwest, this allowed him to work on the farm and tend the dairy cows with his grandfather Don, his dad and all his brothers; creating unforgettable memories and very breakable bones.
On August 3, 1990, Kelly married Debbie Bowlin. The two were married 15 years before her passing on November 22, 2005 and he continued to love her every day til his last.
Through his years, Kelly held several job titles. From working at CFI Trucking, Custom Campers, Hi Lo (Bridgewood) Cabinets, and even Amazon. Kelly was a simple man who loved the simple pleasures in life. Kelly will be remembered as a man who loved his family and showed it with little sayings like “ Tell me something new you learned at school today” or the ever popular Kelly quote, “I might not know everything, but I know every other thing.”
And his laugh and smile will be remembered for his love and respect for others and he will be deeply missed.
He is preceded in death by his dear wife, Debbie, parents, Dennis and M. Lafern, stepson, Jeremy Hamlin, and brother, Michael McDonald.
His memory will carry on with his daughter, Whitney Wissman and husband Michael of Topeka, stepson, Devon Bowlin of Parsons, stepdaughter, Melissa Hamlin of Chanute, sister, Deniece Edson and husband Rodney, brother, David McDonald and wife Penny, and grandchildren, Reed Wissman, Ethan Hamlin, and Mariah Carpenter-Hamlin.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Kelly Amos McDonald please visit our Sympathy Store.
Funeral Home in Charge
COUNTRYSIDE FUNERAL HOME – JOHNSON CHAPEL
101 N. Highland
Chanute, KS 66720
101 N. Highland
Chanute, KS 66720
