Kenneth Eugene Becker, 85, of Salina, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, October 1, 2014.
Gene was born in Russell, Kansas on May 8, 1929.
He served in the U. S. Army from 1951 until 1953 during the Korean Conflict. He was a member of the American Legion Post #62 and VFW Post #1432. He was a very proud American and loved his country. He was also a member of Trinity United Methodist Church. He was a pilot for his entire life and retired after 20 years as a pilot for Exline Inc.
On March 21, 1954, Gene married Ellen L. Craig and she survives.
Survivors include his wife, three daughters, Debbie Park, wife of Larry, of Solomon, Kansas; Kim Cochran, wife of Dennis, of Dallas, Texas; LouAnn Evilsizer, wife of Rick, of Dallas, Texas; brother, Larry Becker, of South Carolina; grandchildren, Shelby Kelley, and husband Mike, Joe Evilsizer and wife, Marian, Tyler Evilsizer and wife, Susan, Kylie Park; Great-grandchildren; Emily, Halle, Alex, Bennett, Elizabeth.
Visitation will be held Friday, October 3, 2014 from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm at Carlson-Geisendorf Funeral Home
The family will have a private funeral service and burial.
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BAVARIA – Ronald W. Cole, 74, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2014, after a battle with cancer. He was born Nov. 27, 1939, in Salina to Edward and Lillian (Peterson) Cole.
Ronnie grew up in Brookville on the family ranch. He began his lifelong love of rodeo. He spent his early life riding the rodeo circuit all over the United States, competing in many different events. In 1960, he became the IRA World Champion Bareback Rider. After retiring from rodeo, he became the general manager of Bavaria Farmers Elevator for 16 years. Later, he ran the Solomon Elevator and worked for the city of Salina.
On Sept. 16, 1961, he married Shirley Townsend.
Ronnie was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother, Dorrance Cole. Survivors include his wife, Shirley; three daughters, Cammie (Jeff) Hines, of Parker, Darci (Troy) Ditto, of Ottawa County, and Mendee (Marty) Kramer, of Salina; sister, Karen Hudson, of Brookville; eight grandchildren, Cody (Amanda) Holcom, Cole (Tricia) Holcom, Keaton Hines, Brody Ditto, Sawyer Kramer, Reece Ditto, Raleigh Kramer and Kas Kramer; and five great-grandchildren, Ava Navey, Bailey Rae Holcom, Jake Holcom, Taegan Holcom and Jolee Ann Holcom.
Funeral services will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Salina. There will be no visitation; cremation was chosen.
Memorials may be made to the Tammy Walker Cancer Center.
Ryan Mortuary, Salina, is in charge of arrangements.
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Ruby E. Tannahill Gifford, 82, of Salina, passed away October 1, 2014 in Abilene. She was born November 14, 1931 in Rural Havensville, the daughter of Ira and Lola (Reed) Berry.
Ruby was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Robert Gary Tannahill and Robert Clifford; daughter, Betty Tannahill; son, John Tannahill; brother, Roy Berry; infant brothers, Leon and Lewis Berry and infant sister, June Berry.
Survivors include two sons, Rowdy (Katrina) Gifford, of Davie, FL and Martin (Melissa) Tannahill, of Enterprise; two daughters, Roberta (Roger) Randel, of Havensville and Barbara (Dave) Hicks, of Salina; one daughter-in-law, Linda (Ellis) Tannahill, of Onset, MA; seven grandchildren, Terry (Donna) Tannahill, Darren Euwer, Derek (Jessica) Euwer, Jake Jeanneret, Josh Jenneret, Shelby Tannahill and Ashley Tannahill; four step-grandchildren, Troy (Rosette) Randel, Rene’ (Kevin) Wheatley, Amanda (John) Freeman and Heather (Brandon) Murdock; 17 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.
There will be no visitation. Cremation was chosen. Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, October 6, at Havensville Christian Church, 201 North St., Havensville. Inurnment will be at a later date. Memorials may be made to Home Health & Hospice of Dickinson County in care of Ryan Mortuary, Salina.