John D. Laber, 83, of Salina, died Sunday, June 9, 2013. He was born in Longmont, Colo., graduated from Longmont High School and attended Colorado State University. While in high school, he was active in FFA and was Colorado FFA president in 1946. He won the district public speaking contest and in 1949 was awarded The American Farmer degree.
John served in the United States Army from 1952-54. John married Virginia (Schlagel) Laber in 1952 in Denver. He farmed in Longmont, Stratton, Colo., and Burlington, Colo. In 1959, he was voted Outstanding Young Farmer by the Longmont Junior Chamber of Commerce. John and his family were active in Christ Congregational Church in Longmont, and United Methodist churches in Stratton and Burlington, Colo. He enjoyed singing in the church choir for many years and participated on various church boards. John, Virginia and David moved to Salina in 1982. He drove a truck for several localcompanies before retiring. He was a faithful member of United Methodist Church of the Cross in Salina.
Survivors include his wife, Virginia; and three children, Janice and husband Gary Brown, of Lee’s Summit, Mo., Julie and husband Lance Ross, of Cheney, and David Laber, of Salina. They also have four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
The funeral service willbe held at 10 a.m. Friday, June 14, at Salina United Methodist Church of the Cross. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Thursday, June 13, with the family present from 6-7 p.m., at Ryan Mortuary.
Memorials may be made in John’s honor to United Methodist Church of the Cross and sent to or left in care of Ryan Mortuary, 137 N. Eighth St., Salina 67401.
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Jessie E. Wolf, 94, of Salina, died Monday, June 10, 2013. She was born to Otto Clyde and Samantha Caroline “Clyde and Carrie” Joy at the family farm near Reamsville in Beaver Township of Smith County on Aug. 21, 1918.
She attended Sunny Slope School and graduated from Smith Center High School. She married John Ernest Wolf Jr. on Aug. 1, 1937. They lived on a farm in Smith County.
Jessie moved to Salina in the fall of 1993, following the deaths of her husband John, in 1991, and oldest child, Russell, in 1992. In addition to John and Russell, Jessie was preceded in death by her daughter-in-law, Marilyn Jean (Underwood); sisters, Hattie Bell Ogle and Ada Lorene Kite; and her twin brother, Charles Edwin Joy.
Survivors include two sons, Ernest Wolf and wife Valette, of Gardner, and Roger Wolf and wife Karen, of Salina; daughter, Nancy Bonawitz and husband Dean, of Salina; six grandchildren, Cynthia Glennmeier, Brenda K. Wolf, Lisa Wolf Tholen, Michael E. Wolf, Darren L. Bonawitz and Julie K. Butters; and seven great-grandchildren, Ashley, J.R., Chad, Jake, Luke, Nick and Gavin.
Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Friday, June 14, with the family receiving friends from 6-7 p.m. at Ryan Mortuary. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Belmont Boulevard Christian Church, 2508 Belmont Boulevard, with the Rev. Tara Thompson officiating. Burial will be a 2:30 p.m. in Fairview Cemetery, Smith Center.
Memorials may be made to Belmont Boulevard Christian Church, Windsor Estates Nursing Home or Hospice of Salina, in care of Ryan Mortuary, 137 N. Eighth, Salina 67401.
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Terry L. Pixler, 72, of Salina, Kansas, passed away Sunday, June 9th, at Salina Regional Health Center.