BEL AIRE — Cinda L. DeWerff, 83, passed away Thursday, Nov. 6 at home in Bel Aire, Kan. She was born on April 16, 1942 in Weleetka, Okla. to the late Ulyus Malone Wilcox and Gertrude Louise Capehart Wilcox. Cinda was raised in Ellinwood, Kan. where she graduated high school in 1960. She married Dallas Lyn DeWerff in Ellinwood, Kan. on June 5, 1960. After their union she was a dairy farm wife until 1979. At that time she began employment at CPI, Inc. in Great Bend, Kan. until 1995. After a move to Oklahoma she worked for the Oklahoma school system for several years until she retired. Following retirement, she became church secretary at Lighthouse United Methodist Church, where she was a member, in Kingston, Okla. until January 2020. She enjoyed crafting, music, poetry, times spent with friends and family and had a soft spot for children and many students through her employment with the school. 

She is survived by her children, Randall DeWerff (Lisa) of Burleson, Texas, Deborah Messick (Fred) of Valley Center, Kan., Wade DeWerff (Leah) of Anna, TX; seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren; brother, Dane Wilcox of Des Moines, WA; brother-in-law, Dale DeWerff (Karen) of Hesston, Kan.; and several nieces and nephews. Cinda was predeceased by her parents; husband, Dallas DeWerff; brother, Mikial Wilcox; twin sister, Linda Aten; and brother, Richard Wilcox.

Memorials can be made to Wichita Children’s Home, 7271 E. 37th St. N., Wichita, KS 67226; Riverlawn Christian Church c/o Christmas Families, 4243 N. Meridian Ave., Wichita, KS 67204; The Looking Glass, 220 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Wichita, KS 67214.

A celebration of life will take place at Riverlawn Christian Church, 4243 N. Meridian Ave., Wichita, KS 67204 in the Harbor Room on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025 at 11 a.m. A private inurnment will follow at Lakin Commanche Cemetery, Ellinwood, KS.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Downing & Lahey Mortuary

6555 E. Central

Wichita, KS 67206

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Nov. 15, 2025