Wilma Brechbuhler's Obituary
Wilma Sue Chambers Brechbuhler was born April 16, 1943, at Niangua, Missouri, to Herbert and Elizabeth Perryman Chambers. She departed this life Friday, August 11, 2006, at the age of 63 years, three months and twenty-five days. She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Wallace; and two sisters, Juanita and Lois. Mourning her passing are her long-time companion, Corinne Alspaw; two daughters, Kelly Brechbuhler, Crane, Missouri, and Julie Maxwell and her husband, James, of Rocheport, Missouri; two sons, Kenny Brechbuhler of Joplin, Missouri; and Paul Brechbuhler and his wife, Annie, of Knoxville, Illinois; eight grandchildren; three brothers, Wayne Chambers and his wife, Kate, of Chandler, Arizona, Waldo Chambers of Camdenton, Missouri, and Warren Chambers and his wife, Laverne, of Sparta, Missouri; a sister, Lillian Hicks of Springfield, Missouri; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. She is also survived by special friends Anita and her husband, Mark, Carmen and her husband, Bob, and Frances McCoy. Always a high-energy person, Wilma could be found most weekends playing tennis with her siblings at Lebanon’s Gasconade Park. It was there that she honed the skills that helped her win first-place trophies in Women’s Singles, Girls’ Singles, and Women’s Doubles in Springfield’s Labor Day Tennis Tournament at the age of sixteen. Wilma was an outstanding guitarist and could play several stringed instruments. For many years she played and sang in “all-girl” bands in the Columbia, Missouri, area, writing much of the material the groups performed. She loved cats with a passion, and over the years rescued many, providing a home for as many as thirty at a time. Wilma had attended the Church of God. Whether she was singing one of her original songs, or simply carrying on a conversation, her wit and humor always prevailed, especially during her long illness. Her love for tennis, music and cats was surpassed only by her love for her family and friends. Our “Little Suesy” will be greatly missed. Services are incomplete and under the dirction of Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Lebanon, Missouri.
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