Sheila (Gockel) Porter, of Overland Park, KS, passed away on April 6, 2016 with her family by her side. Sheila was born Dec. 1, 1950 in Seneca, KS.
Sheila's family moved to Higginsville, MO when she was 13. She graduated from Higginsville Senior High in 1968 and went on to receive a bachelor's and master's degree from the University of Central Missouri. Sheila was a teacher and counselor for over 20 years in the Raytown and Shawnee Mission School Districts and at Cure' of Ars. Sheila was known as a proud mother and grandmother and a compassionate caregiver, counselor and teacher.
Sheila is survived by her husband of 42 years, George W. Porter; son Matt Porter (Tiffany) of Longview, TX; daughter Julie Burdick (DJ) of San Francisco, CA; grandchildren Owen, Victoria Grace, and Quinton Porter; sisters Linda Levret (Larry) and Brenda Munkres; brothers Keith Gockel (Jenny), Lance Gockel (Marie), and Bruce Gockel (Becky) along with many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, John Gockel; mother, Genevieve; brother, Curt; and sister Tura Sommerville.
A memorial service for Sheila will be held at 11 AM on Tuesday, April 12 at The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection's Wesley Chapel, 13720 Roe Ave., Leawood, KS. There will be a visitation at 10 AM prior to the service and a lunch to follow. A private burial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the American Cancer Society at donate.cancer.org or Cancer Action at canceractionkc.org.