Peggy Jo (Mortimer) Roark, 90, of Wichita, Kansas, passed away December 29, 2024. Peggy was born on the family farmstead in Gypsum, Kansas on May 21, 1934, the second child of the late Lola Lucille (Carlson) and James Clifford Mortimer. Two sisters completed the family, Phyllis Phyrne, 5 years older, and Mary Ellen, 5 years younger. Peggy received her early education at the one-room, country Pliny School, and graduated from Gypsum High School. On March 6th, 1955, Peggy married Keith Roark at the Gypsum Baptist Church, and they moved to Wichita the following year where Keith served with the Wichita Fire Department. Peggy retired from Cessna Aircraft Company in 1996 after 25 years of service in the Air Transportation Department.
Survivors include daughter, Debra Smith (Roger) of Flippin, Arkansas; two sons, Brad Roark (Pam), of Fort Myers, Florida, and Michael Roark, of Wichita, Kansas; two grandchildren, Sean Roark (Mika) of Olathe, Kansas, and Stephanie Faires (Chris) of Wichita, Kansas.
Peggy is also survived by three great granddaughters, Mikayla Faires, Calli Roark, and Colbi Roark; sister, Mary Carrier (Don); brother-in-law, Paul Launder; several nieces and nephews, including Lynda Carrier-Metz (Mark); Steven Carrier (Deborah), Wendy Deuschle (Tim); Kristal Zimmerman (Josh); and honorary daughter, Kim Roark.
Peggy is preceded in death by her parents, J.C and Lola; step-mother, Lenora; sister, Phyllis; nephew, Bill; and special cousins, Bob, Dwight and Fred Conley.
Visitation with family will be held Friday, January 3, 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm at the Carlson - Geisendorf Funeral Home, 500 S. Ohio, Salina, KS 67401.
The funeral service will be held at the funeral home Saturday, January 4 at 10 am, followed by the burial at Gypsum City Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Alzheimer’s Disease & Related Disorders or Harry Hynes Hospice of Wichita, Kansas in care of the Carlson - Geisendorf Funeral Home.