Gwendolyn Blanche Harshbarger

Gwen Harshbarger, age 87, passed away at Wellsprings of Westmoreland on September 1st, 2025.

Born Gwendolyn Blanche Ashcraft to Chloe Ashcraft Hitz and Martin H. Ashcraft on January 8, 1938, in Englewood, Kansas, Gwen lived most of her young life in Englewood and graduated from high school in 1955.

From there, she ventured to Alva, Oklahoma, and Northwestern Oklahoma State University, where she quickly met the love of her life, John “Spike” Harshbarger. Born to them were three children, Alan, Scott, and Lynda. Spike and Gwen were blessed with six grandchildren: Bret, Maci, Ryan, Jory, Layne, and Landon.

Gwen worked several jobs throughout her life, but she favored and loved her 23 years spent at Balderson, Inc. in Wamego.

She loved everything about the sport of bowling and cherished her time with her “bowling buds.” She loved to read, cook, play cards, and spend time with her family. She carried and demonstrated a kind heart and loving disposition throughout her wonderful life.

Gwen was preceded in death by her mother, father, two sisters, Nancy and Norma, and one brother, Melvin. She lost Spike in 2011.

She is survived by her three children and their spouses: Alan and Janell, Scott and Kathy, and Lynda and Dave, six grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and two sisters-in-law, Alfreda Harshbarger Doherty and Wilma Harshbarger Moore.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, from 5:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Campanella & Stewart Funeral Home in Wamego. Gwen will lie in state beginning at 4:00 p.m.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at Trinity Baptist Church, 16655 US Hwy 24, Wamego, Kansas. Gwen requests casual dress for both, especially the color purple.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Wamego Community Foundation for use towards the park. Please make checks payable to the Wamego Community Foundation, with the memo' Parks Fund' or 'In Memory of Gwen Harshbarger'. Donations can also be given online at https://www.wamegocf.org/donate.cfm in memory of Gwen or to “Friends of the Park”. Contributions can be left in care of Campanella & Stewart Funeral Home, P.O. Box 48, Wamego, KS 66547.