Susan Lynn Ottley, 55, of Salina, lost her battle with cancer Friday, April 18, 2014. She was born Feb. 21, 1959, in Salina, the daughter of Kenneth and Julie (Snead) Ottley. Susan worked for Kennedy and Coe for 13 years and currently was employed by the Diocese of Salina as executive secretary and assistant coordinator of the Safe Environment Program.
She was an active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and devoted aunt to her nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Walter and Eunice Ottley; her maternal grandparents, Ray and Julia Snead; and her father, Kenneth Ottley. Survivors include her mother, Julie, of Salina; two brothers, Daniel (Cheri) Ottley, of Grainfield and David (Andrea) Ottley, of Victoria; four sisters, Sharon (Dave) Burnett, of Salina, Nancy Ottley, of Moundridge, Julie (Mike) Kocour, of Atchison, and Barbara (Jason) Hughes, of Topeka; nieces and nephews, Christopher, Jessie, Tyler, Cody, Chad, Kenny, Jordan, Brett, Samuel, T.J., Tobin, Colten, Bethany, Jackson and Tristan; and great-nephews, Gage and Jase.
Mass of Christian burial will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 22, 2014, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, with burial in All-Saints Catholic Cemetery. A vigil service will be at 7 p.m. Monday, April 21, at the church. Visitation will be from 4-5:30 p.m. Monday, at Ryan Mortuary and at St. Mary’s church from 6-8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to The Love Chloe Foundation or The Salina Diocese Seminarian Fund.
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NEW CAMBRIA — Virginia E. Bostick, 80, of New Cambria, passed away Tuesday, April 15, 2014. She was born May 18, 1933.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 22, at Ryan Mortuary, 137 N. Eighth, Salina. Visitation will be an hour before the service. Memorials may be made to the family, in care of Ryan Mortuary.
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Shannon Christopher Botz, of Salina, went to be with the Lord on Friday, April 18, 2014. Shannon was born Nov. 4, 1975, in St. Paul, Minn., to Brad and Jane Botz; he was the second son of three children and was a spirited child.
Shannon completed elementary and middle schools in Garden City. In 1991, the family moved to Salina, where Shannon graduated from Salina South High School. Upon his graduation, Shannon’s association with Kansas Wesleyan University began, first as a student majoring in computer science and continuing through his current position as lead computer services technician at the school he loved. Shannon was dedicated to his profession and enjoyed helping faculty, staff and students at any time. Surprising even his parents, Shannon became proficient in cooking and enjoyed contributing to KWU socials and family gatherings.
Shannon was sensitive, loving and giving. Even though he struggled with increasing health issues, Shannon gave his best to family, to friends and to KWU. He was greatly loved by his family and friends.
Shannon is survived by his parents; his brother, Daniel (Angela); and his nephew, Alexander, and nieces, Oriana and Katelyn, all of Salina; his brother, Chad, of Rochester, Minn.; his grandmother, Ethel Aamot, of Minot, N.D.; his aunts and uncles, Ken Yantes, of Brocket, N.D., Dean (Bonnie) Yantes, of Grafton, N.D., Jean (Phil ) Sedo, of Salina, Lloyd (Deb) Yantes, Faye (Jon) Primeau, Virginia (Steve) Eckert, of Minot, Sandra Kerr, of Grand Forks, N.D., Bob (Rhea) Botz, of Casper, Wyo., and Gladys Botz, of Bismarck, N.D.; and 16 cousins.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Samuel Yantes, Allyn and Jean Botz; and uncle, Albert Botz.
Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 23, at First United Methodist Church, Salina.
Memorials may be made to Kansas Wesleyan University to establish a scholarship fund in Shannon’s name.
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Helen Joan Simmons, 81, of Salina, died Feb. 8, 2014, at Holiday Resort, Salina. She was born April 27, 1932, at Sand Springs in Dickinson County, the daughter of Clarence Sidna and Rachel Esther (Saum) Judah. Helen worked as an interviewer with the U.S. Census Bureau for the Department of Commerce.
She successfully performed many roles in her lifetime: a daughter, wife, mother, clerk, family historian and photographer, government employee, Sunday school teacher, grandmother, great-grandmother and a friend to animals and humans alike.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Howard H. Simmons Jr., in 1998; a stepdaughter, Juanita Hendricks; and her five siblings, Clarence William Judah, Faith Witwer, Nancy Bogart, Isabelle Haas and Margaret Elder. Survivors include her two daughters, Lilah Dahl and Edith Hopson; five grandchildren, Robert Dahl, Amanda Wells, John Dahl, Paul Hopson and Wesley Hopson; and six great-grandchildren, Jackson, Nicholas, Addison, Benjamin, Regan and Colin.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:45 a.m. Sunday, April 27, at the Friendship Center, 746 Commanche Ave., Salina. There will be an after-service lunch and a time of fellowship with the sharing of memories and photos. Inurnment will follow in the Fairview Cemetery, near Carlton. Memorials may be made to American Diabetes Association, in care of Ryan Mortuary, 137 N. Eighth, Salina.
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Walter Nelson Snell, 73, of Assaria, passed away Thursday, April 17, 2014. He was born July 9, 1940, in Lawrence, Neb., the son of Charles and Verna Lucille Harriett (Tilbury) Snell.
Walter was a member of the U.S. Army from 1968 to 1972, serving in Vietnam and Germany. He didmaintenance work for rental apartments and worked on telephone construction.
Known to many as “Uncle Walt,” he was a vivid storyteller. He could fix just about anything and enjoyed working with leather. Walt loved animals and greatly enjoyed fishing and gardening.
Walter was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Daniel Snell; and two sisters, Marie Fischer and Verna Blau. He is survived by three brothers, Glen (Joyce) Snell, of Edgar, Neb., Ernie Snell, of Sutton, Neb., and Raymond (Penny) Snell, of Hastings, Neb.; two sisters, Genny Blau and Lola Benker, both of Blue Hill, Neb.; niece, Irene Bevard and family, of Abilene; special friends, Bill and Linda Borgmeyer and family, of Assaria; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorial services and inurnment in the Evergreen Cemetery in Lawrence, Neb., will take place at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Humane Society, in care of Ryan Mortuary, 137 N. Eighth, Salina 67401.