George “Lee” Chiles, 92, of Basehor, passed away peacefully Friday, May 10, 2019, in Sarasota, FL. Lee was born in St. Joseph, MO April 4, 1927 to the late Charles G. and Nelle (Lee) Chiles. He spent most of his childhood in Westminster, Colorado and graduated from Westminster High School. In his childhood, Lee was trained in Classical Piano, and at just 10 years of age, he played Valcik on a Live Radio Show. Lee enlisted in the Navy near the end of WWII and served for 2 years. While in the Navy, his gift of playing piano by ear developed, and he often entertained others by playing Ragtime songs they requested. After the Navy, Lee attended Park College, where he met and married the girl of his dreams, Margaret A. Younkin. They were married on May 25, 1949 at the Northeast Presbyterian Church in Kansas City, MO. Together, they bought 160 acres near Basehor, where they built their own home and farm, and raised their four children. Lee planted a 6-acre peach orchard and sold peaches locally for 40 years, along with raising steers and farm crops of corn, wheat, soybeans, and hay. He loved to travel and explored most of the United States, as well as many countries abroad. Lee was a member of Gideons for many years, and served in the Leavenworth Chapter by speaking on behalf of the Gideons at Churches and distributing Bibles to Schools and Universities. Lee and Margaret loved spending winters in Florida at their home in Nokomis, FL. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Basehor. He felt blessed to have a large family and loved having his family near him. Lee was preceded in death by his parents, and in 2017 by his wife, Margaret. He is survived by his children, Cathryn Grube and husband Mark; Charles R. Chiles; David Chiles; Rebecca Kiene and husband Dr. James “Pete” Kiene, Jr; sister, Charlotte Alex and husband Jim, grandchildren, Brian Chiles and wife Kris; Lisa Shryock and husband Adam; Laura Craig and husband Matt; Brent Chiles and Jennifer “Elli” Elliot; Melanie Neir and husband John; John Grube and wife Whitney; Douglas Kiene and wife Amanda; Dr. Josh Kiene and wife Bridget; Anna Gromer and husband Luke; and 17 great-grandchildren, with 2 of the 17 on the way.

Thank you for helping to celebrate a life well lived. The family respectfully suggests memorial contributions be made “In memory of Lee Chiles” to The Gideons International, P.O. Box 97251 Washington, DC 20090-7251 www.gideons.org

Visitation will be 3 to 4 pm, followed by the Funeral at 4 pm, both Friday, May 17, at the Alden-Harrington Funeral Home in Bonner Springs, KS burial to follow in the Glenwood Cemetery in Basehor, KS.