WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Mark Dirks Bowles lost his battle with cancer Thursday, June 5, 2014, in Winston-Salem. He was born Jan. 25, 1958, in Salina, Kan., to Barbara (Dirks) and Clifford Bowles.
Mark spent his early years in Salina and Shawnee, Kan., and Kansas City, Mo. He attendedhigh school at Maur Hill Mount Academy through his junior year, then moved to Lacey, Wash., to live with his father and second family and graduated from North Thurston High School in 1976. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Wiesbaden, Germany, from 1976 to 1979. After his service in the Army, Mark returned to Salina until 1981, then back to Germany. There, he met Sybille (Neher), and in April 1986 they were married. They have three beautiful children, Sophie, Michelle and Kenneth. He and Sybille later divorced and Mark returned to the United States, residing in Jacksonville, Fla., where he worked for AT&T and discovered his love of the ocean and passion forscuba diving. In 2008, he was transferred to Winston-Salem, where he adopted his best friend, Princess, and where his larger-than-life presence, infectious smile and caring, supportive attitude left an impact on all who had the privilege of working with him.
He is survived by his children, Sophie, Michelle and Kenneth (Neher), all of Friedrichshafen, Germany; mother, Barbara Gilmore; stepmother, Marilyn Bowles; brothers, Clifford, Jon and Michael Bowles and Ron Gilmore; sister, Suzanne (Bowles) Krauss; and many uncles, aunts, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father, Clifford Bowles; stepfather, Ron Gilmore; and daughter, Natasha Leahenbauber.
A Mass of Christian Burial, celebrating Mark’s life, will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, June 13, at St. Mary’sCatholic Church, Salina, with burial of ashes in Roselawn Memorial Park, Salina. There is no visitation.
Memorials are to the American Cancer Society.
Ryan Mortuary, Salina, is in charge of arrangements.
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Norma Lee Christiancy, 86, of Salina, died Monday, June 9, 2014. She was born June 11, 1927, in Geneva, Neb., the daughter of James and Mildred (Brower) Fisher. Norma farmed with her husband for over 20 years in Strang, Neb. They moved to Salina in 1971 and owned and operated the Travel LodgeMotel. Norma later became manager of the Red Coach Inn, Salina, until her retirement in 1995. She was fondly known as “Grandma Ho Ho” and she loved her family dearly.
Norma was preceded in death by: her husband, Wendell; sister, Joann Milton; and grandson, Bryan Christiancy. Survivors include: sons, Gary (Roberta), of Brainard, Neb., and Richard (Kay), of Salina; daughter, Kathy Fletcher, of Salina; sister, Delores Atwood, of Grand Island, Neb.; six grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
Memorial service: 2 p.m. Friday, June 13, at Grand Avenue Methodist Church, with private inurnment in Gypsum Hill Cemetery. Memorials: to the church, in care of Ryan Mortuary, 137 N. Eighth St., Salina 67401.