Beulah Ilene Scholes, 88, of Alta Vista, Kansas, passed away November 23, 2019, at Morris County Hospital. She was born December 2, 1930, in Wilsey, KS to William Edwin and Josie Eletta (Stephenson) Wigle. After graduating high school, Beulah worked for ASCS, before she started working Missouri Pacific Railroad. Beulah was the first woman train engineer in the central region. She married Billy Scholes on March 22, 1968. She retired from the railroad and continued to farm and raise cattle.
Beulah was an avid animal lover; she loved her cats and also enjoyed flowers and hummingbirds.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and siblings: Ina Robinson, Robert Wigle and Earl Wigle. Beulah is survived by her children: Alan Richardson and wife Betty, Dennis Richardson, all of Emporia, and Sheila Richardson of Council Grove; step children: Leslie Ann and Allen Scholes; grandchildren Adam Richardson and Sarah Richardson.
At Beulah’s request, cremation will take place. A visitation will be held from 5:00 – 6:30, Monday, December 2, 2019 at Sawyer Funeral Home. The family request in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the Emporia Animal Shelter. They may be sent in care of Sawyer Funeral Home, Box 273, Council Grove, KS 66846.