Vance V. Miller, 94, of Salina, died Sunday, August 12, 2012.
He was born September 14, 1917 in Salina, Kansas, the son of Ernest F. and Nettie E. Miller. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, brother Harvey, sister Lila and wife of 50 years, Harriette. He is survived by sons Robert H. (Linda) and Dr. John (Sandy) and five grandchildren, Lance, John, Melanie, Claire and Nate.
Vance is a veteran of World War II and served as a Captain with the U.S. Army in India and Burma.
He graduated from Kansas State University in 1947 with a degree in Civil Engineering. As a builder, his career spanned more than 60 years. Upon graduation, he joined Val Borden Construction Company in Salina as a project superintendent through completion of his first large project, Salina High School.
In 1954 he joined Busboom & Rauh Construction Company. From 1960 to 2008 he served as general manager, partner, owner and chairman and was responsible for constructing many school, hospital and church projects throughout Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri and Tennessee.
Vance served on the board of directors of the Associated General Contractors of Kansas and is past president of the association. Locally he served on the board of directors of UMB National Bank of America and Asbury Hospital.
He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Salina Rotary Steel Ring Honorary Engineering Fraternity at Kansas State University.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, August 15, at Ryan Mortuary. Burial will follow in Gypsum Hill Cemetery with military honors provided by VFW Post 1432.Visitation will be prior to the service Wednesday at the mortuary. Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church.
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Velma I. (Swisher) Highsmith was born June 9, 1921, in rural Saline County. Velma was the first of five children born to Wilbur and Tressa (Harris) Swisher.
Velma moved to the Gypsum community as a child, attended Gypsum schools and graduated from Gypsum High school. After high school, Velma attended Central Christian College in McPherson. These were war years and Velma moved to Galveston to work in government work. Her last place of employment was American Safety Equipment Corporation in Fresno, Calif. When Velma retired, she returned to Gypsum to help care for her parents and remained here until her death.
Velma married Robert Highsmith and they lived in Idaho, Arizona and California. Velma was a member of Gypsum Baptist church and Baptist Women’s Association. Velma was strong in her faith and attended church regularly. Velma loved her family and stayed active in the Swisher reunions until June 2012.
Velma was preceded in death by her husband; parents; two brothers, Gerald and Dale; and four nephews, Jerry, Jay, Coleman Eric and Brad Swisher.
She is survived by one sister, Glenda (James) Simmons, of Seattle; one brother, Dean (Nancy) Swisher, of Gypsum; and 15 nieces and nephews, Diane, Greg, Randy, Rosemary, Denice, Jeff, Jamie, Mike, Patrick, Brenda, Brian, Rose Ann, Clay, Barbara and Shannon.
Velma was greatly loved by her family and friends and will be missed but never forgotten.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 17, at First Baptist Church of Gypsum, Gypsum. Burial will follow at Gypsum Valley Cemetery.
Visitation will be the hour prior to the service.
Memorials may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.
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Eunice Maxine Becker, 85, of Salina, passed away Aug. 6, 2012. She was born Sept. 2, 1926 in Lincoln, KS to Joseph and Alberta (Hines) Hazelton.
She is preceded in death by her two sons: Dwayne Robinson and Max Blodgett.
Eunice is survived by: her husband Ron Becker, three daughters; Connie (Joseph) Capistrant, Cindy (Dennis) DeWitt, and Julia (Mike) Quinzer, son; Terry (Deborah) Blodgett, three sisters; Dorris Conger, Lillian Hepner, and Gay (Dave) Woods, many grandchildren and numerous great and great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be Tues., Aug. 14, from noon to 1 PM, at Ryan Mortuary, Salina. Funeral services will be at 1 PM at the mortuary. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.