Shirley K. Maley

Shirley Kathryn Maley, 86, died January 11, 2026, at Diversicare of Council Grove. She was born December 8, 1939, in Gridley, Kansas, to John S. and Eleanor K. (Jasper) Young. Shirley graduated from Gridley High School. She worked in housekeeping at Newman Regional Health for 20+ years before retiring in 2005. She loved spending time with her family.  Shirley was an avid Kansas City Chiefs fan. She enjoyed playing bingo, card games, dominoes and spending time with her friends at the care facility.

She married John R. Burdette on June 17, 1959. They had three children together; Russell, Vickie, and John Jr. Shirley and John Sr. later divorced. On April 17, 1969, she married Delbert George Maley in Emporia.  They had Steven together.  They shared 52 years of marriage before Delbert passed away on July 31, 2021.

Shirley is survived by: children, Russell Burdette and wife Jackie of Templeton, IA, Vickie Martin and husband Bob of Hamilton, John R. Burdette Jr. of Emporia, Steven Maley and wife Dolcie of Americus.; 8 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; 7 great great grandchildren; and sister, Alberta Charlene Knoblock of Yates Center.

She was preceded in death by her parents; siblings, Claudine Jones, Arthur Young, Phyllis Heilam, Roger Young; and granddaughter, Christine Ashley Burdette.

Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, January 24, 2026, at Jones Funeral Home, Burlington, with Pastor Brandon Winters officiating. Burial will follow in Stringtown Cemetery, New Strawn. Family will greet friends from 6:30-8 p.m. Friday, January 23, 2026, at Jones Funeral Home. Memorial donations may be made to Humane Society of the Flint Hills, in care of Jones Funeral Home PO Box 277 Burlington, KS 66869.

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