Gwendolyn Jane Wilburn

Gwendolyn Jane Wilburn, 74, a Stillwater resident, went to her heavenly home, December 9, 2022, in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Memorial service will be set for a future date to be determined. Cremation services have been entrusted to the care of Dighton Marler Funeral Home.

She was born December 20, 1947, in Stillwater, Oklahoma, the daughter of Max and Zola (Bilyeu) Sinclair.

Gwen grew up in Perry, Oklahoma where she attended and was a cheerleader later graduating from Perry High School in the class of 1966. She later went on to attend at Northern Oklahoma College taking classes before transferring to Oklahoma State University where she met the love of her life Kenneth Wilburn.

Ken and Gwen were united in marriage on January 12, 1968, at the First Baptist Church in Perry, Oklahoma. They were blessed with two daughters, Tara and Cassie.

Gwen loved her work where she was the interim director and manager for the National Headquarters of Kappa Kappa Psi/Tau Beta Sigma for 22 years. After moving to Independence, Kansas in 1998, Gwen became the President/CEO of the Independence Chamber of Commerce. She was involved, and lead, many city events, and fundraisers. She was instrumental in the progress of downtown Independence and the business community. Gwen enjoyed working for the Chamber where she met and befriended many city leaders, state leaders, and celebrities for more than 13 years before her retirement in 2010. During Gwen’s retirement, she loved to do crossword puzzles, decorate, and spend time with her family. Gwen also loved to collect Santa’s where she made a collection over the years. She was an amazing woman who was full of life, had an infectious laugh, and a heart of gold.

Survivors include her husband of the home Kenneth Wilburn; children, Tara Wilson and husband Todd of Charleston, South Carolina, Cassie Wilburn Hansen of Stillwater, Oklahoma; her siblings, Bob and wife Sherry of Colorado, Rick Sinclair of Texas, Ron and wife Kimberly of Stillwater, Oklahoma; her grandchildren, Bailey, Kristian and husband Marshall Chapman, Reese, Chloe, and Rylee; one great grandchildren, Rhett Lloyd Chapman; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and sister Joyce Schulze.

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