Shawn Easterly

Kenneth “Shawn” Easterly died unexpectedly due to medical complications on Tuesday, October 10, 2023. He was born on March 6, 1968 in Wellington, the long-awaited and much-treasured first child of Kenneth G. “Kenny” Easterly and Barbara L. “Bobbie” (Cox) Easterly. Shawn spent his childhood surrounded by his little sister, many foster siblings who found respite in their family home, and dear neighborhood friends.

After graduating with the Wellington High School Class of 1986, Shawn spent more than a decade as a Law Enforcement Officer in multiple Kansas counties. He left law enforcement to pursue his personal business interests, including establishing and operating Easterly Automotive in Wichita. From there, Shawn went on to learn the ethanol industry, ultimately forming his own company, Zephyr Acres Consulting. Established in 2016, today Zephyr provides comprehensive operational consulting and hands-on systems management support to ethanol plants across the United States and in Europe.

Shawn met his love and life partner, Fawn Keith, in 2020. The two were inseparable, and they enjoyed caring together for their many animals, spending time with friends, and especially their Sunday dinners on their farm with their kids and grandkids.

Shawn’s most cherished gifts in this life were his five children. He will be immeasurably missed by Chelsea Easterly of Wellsville; Cassi Easterly of Oxford; Chayse Easterly (Coty) of Wellington; Candi Fisher (Will) of Junction City; and Chloe Brown (Joel) of Wellington, all of whom were born from his marriage to Becky Yoder of Wellington. “Papa Shawn” will be remembered with great love and affection by his grandchildren, Kensley Avina, Sailor Avina, Hyde Easterly, Jackson Easterly, and Ezra Brown.

Shawn also leaves behind his sister, Shannon Easterly, beloved niece, Schaefer Wright, and his brother-in-law, Phil Wright, all of Shawnee, as well as cherished members of his extended family.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his niece, Bowen Wright; and his best friend of many years, Dale Reif.

Shawn enjoyed raising animals, riding his motorcycles, collecting guns and coins, and giving a ration of grief to anyone and everyone he knew. His caring nature, questionable jokes, and warm hugs will be missed by friends too numerous to count.

A visitation will be held at the funeral home from 1 to 7 p.m., Thursday, October 26, 2023, with the family present from 5 to 7 p.m.

Funeral services for Shawn will begin at 2 p.m., Friday, October 27, 2023 at the First Christian Church, 123 W 9th Street, Wellington 67152. A livestream of his services will be available via the church’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/discipleswellington/

Interment will follow at Prairie Lawn Cemetery, Wellington.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Shawn’s name with Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.), a non-profit organization providing support services to families of Law Enforcement Officers killed in the line of duty. Contributions can be mailed to C.O.P.S. at P.O. Box 3199, Camdenton, MO 65020, made online at www.concernsofpolicesurvivors.org or left with the funeral home.

Share a memory, leave condolences or sign Shawn’s digital tribute wall at www.cornejofuneralhome.com.

Arrangements by Cornejo Funeral Home + Crematory, 1030 Mission Road, Wellington 67152.