Velma June (Bray) Vasey

Velma “June” (Bray) Vasey, Age 96, longtime Winfield resident passed away the morning of September 14, 2024, at Comfort and Love Senior Care Living in Wichita, KS. June was born December 19, 1927, in Cleveland, KS to Roscoe Eldon and Pauline (Sloan) Bray.

In her youth June was a member of the Cleveland Methodist Church and attended a two-room school for first through 8th grades. Both church and school were just down the road from the farm.  She attended high school in Kingman, Kansas graduating in May 1945.

June had a happy childhood and spent a lot of time outdoors climbing evergreen trees and the windmill and playing in the hayloft of their barn. She helped her mother with various chores including gathering eggs and summer canning. She began taking piano lessons at the age of five from her Aunt Louise Sloan.  Music was instilled in her soul from that point on. These lessons continued until high school when an instructor came to Kingman from Wichita to teach her. She then started taking organ lessons at the First Methodist Church in Kingman.

After her high school graduation June went on to attend Southwestern College in Winfield, KS studying organ and receiving a music degree in 1950. During her college years she was the organist at First Presbyterian Church in Winfield. It was also during her time at Southwestern that she met and married Charles H. Vasey who was also a student after having served in the U.S. Navy during WW II. To this union were born six daughters.  

During her adult life June was active in the First Presbyterian Church where she was a member for 70 plus years. She served as the full-time organist for several years. She was involved with the Presbyterian Women’s group and served as chairman as well as participated in a Tuesday Bible study group. June was often called upon to be the substitute organist for many Winfield churches and she played for many weddings and funerals. She was a member of the American Guild of Organists. She was also a volunteer at William Newton Hospital and served as chairman of the Hospital Auxiliary. At the time of her passing she was a charter member of the CU chapter of PEO (Philanthropic Educational Organization) after having been initiated in 1979.

June was preceded in death by her husband, Charles; her parents; her two older siblings, Rachel Daniels and Keith Bray and son-in-law Rene Prestwood. She is survived by her six daughters: Valarie Jane Prestwood, Vivian Jo (Stephen) Dratch, Vonda June Wilson (Terry Pope), Velda Jean (David) Volz, Venita Jill Petti (Andy Taylor), and Verlene Janette (John) Stam; 13 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews as well as multiple friends whom she cherished. June loved the Lord and was known for her gratitude and affectionate smile. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.  

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Thursday, September 19, 2024, at the Winfield First Presbyterian Church. Interment will follow at Highland Cemetery. June’s family will greet friends from 1-2 PM at the church, prior to the service. A viewing will be held from 5-7 P.M. Wednesday, September 18, 2024, at the Shelley Family Funeral Home of Winfield. Memorials have been established with First Presbyterian Church and CU Chapter P.E.O. Star Scholarship or the Gertrude Hankins Endowed Scholarship established at Southwestern College by the CU Chapter. Both scholarships provide financial aid to women pursuing their education. Contributions may be left in care of the funeral home.