Obituaries - July 24, 2024

Melinda J. Gibson

Melinda J. Gibson, 61, of Salina, gained her angel wings on Thursday, July 18, 2024 after a courageous fight with several medical issues. She was born in Lincoln, KS on April 9, 1963 to Kent and Marilyn (Street) Gibson.

Melinda was an Associate National Bank Examiner with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency from 1999 to 2024. Prior to this Melinda was employed at Sunflower Bank for several years. She was highly accredited in Ach and graduated from Kansas Wesleyan University with a Bachelor of Science degree. Melinda was a 1981 South High School graduate in Salina.

Melinda loved and was very loved by her friends and family. She enjoyed the pets of her friends, too. She frequently showed up with gifts and treats for her special fur buddies.

She is preceded in death by her father Kent Gibson and her brother Timmy Gibson and her grandparents.

Melinda is survived by her mother, Marilyn Gibson of Mountain View, AR; brother, Jeff Gibson (Mitzi) of Wichita, KS; nephew Matt Gibson (Cassie) of Wichita; and nephew Jake Gibson (Shae) of Wichita. Her great nephew and great niece, Carter and Maddie, were very special to Melinda. She is also survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, 08/16/2024 at 2 pm at Belmont Boulevard Christian Church, 2508 Belmont Blvd., Salina, KS. A social gathering will follow at the church to visit with family. Memorials may be made to Salina Animal Shelter or Belmont Boulevard Christian Church.

Darlene Reed

Darlene Reed, 84, of Bennington, Kansas, passed away on July 18 at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita.  She was born on a farm in Vesper, Kansas, in 1940, to her parents Harry and Bessie Jensen.   There were two brothers, Orval and Floyd and her sister, Irma.  She is survived by her husband, Melvin Reed, whom she married in 1959, and her daughters, Sharon Reed of Highland Beach, Florida and Kathy Reed of Scottsdale, Arizona.

Darlene was an avid reader who instilled the love of reading, education and curiosity in both her daughters.   She was a vocal participant at her daughter’s sporting events as well as a Sunday School Teacher and a Girl Scout Leader.

Together with her husband, Melvin, Darlene managed their farm in Bennington, raising cattle and wheat.   They both had a soft spot for their “pet cows”, treating each as if they were a valuable family member, which they were.  She will be remembered for her amazing cinnamon rolls, which her daughters still can’t manage to replicate to this day.

Darlene had a strong faith in God and was an active participant in her Church Group in Bennington.  May she continue her explorations in faith and family wherever this next journey takes her.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at the Bennington Cemetery, Friday, July 26, at 11 am with a luncheon at the United Church of Bennington, after to share stories and laughs.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the United Church of Bennington, in care of Wilson Family Funeral Home, 405 Argyle, Minneapolis, Kansas 67467.

Online condolences may be left for the family through the funeral home website at www.wilsonfamilyfuneralhome.com.

Linda L. Serrault

Linda L. Serrault, 76, passed away Friday, July 19, 2024.  She was born in Salina to Dale and Carmen (Whittecar) Napier.  

Linda graduated from Salina High and earned an accounting degree in college.  She worked in Salina at NBA Bank and later UMB Bank as a loan processor retiring after 32 years.  She loved to travel and experience new cultures.  She especially liked cruises and her trip to Africa.  

Linda was preceded in death by her parents and numerous loving dogs.

She is survived by her husband, Dennis Serrault; children, Preston McNeal (Yvonne), Melissa McNeal, Jeremy McNeal (Erica); grandchildren, Grant, Justin, Dakota, Aunisty, Promyce; four great-grandchildren; brother, Larry Napier (Judy); and many more loving family members.   

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 25, 2024 at St. John’s Lutheran Church.  

Memorials to Rollings Hills Zoo, St. John’s Lutheran Church, or the Salina Alzheimer’s Support and Education Group.

Nancy Jean Nelson

Nancy Jean Nelson, daughter of Marcus D. and Velma J. (Koch) Zimmerman, was born in Wichita, Kansas on July 30,1946, and died in her home in Reston, Virginia on July 23,2024, at the age of 77.  Nancy grew up in Wichita, and graduated from Wichita North High School in 1964.

She married Kenneth “Kenny” Nelson on June 9, 1979 in Wichita.  Ken's jobs in information technology led the couple to Iowa, Kansas, California, Pennsylvania, and finally to Reston, where they have lived for the past 30 years. The couple recently celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary.

Nancy worked as office manager at Trout Unlimited, a position she enjoyed immensely.  After retirement from there, she did volunteer work at Sunrise Assisted Living.

She was a member of St. Athanasius Lutheran Church, Vienna, Virginia, where she served on the church's Commission of Mercy.

Nancy is survived by her husband, Ken, of the home; daughter, Rhonda Cruz (Louie), grandchildren, Ericka Cruz, Tatiana Dearman (Ethan) of Prague, Oklahoma, and Luke Cruz (Jazmynne) of Durham, North Carolina; brother, Marc (Midge) Zimmerman of Colorado; sister, Donna (Read) Oakleaf of Hot Springs, Arkansas, and great-grandson, Artie Dearman, of Prague, Oklahoma; as well as numerous nieces and nephews, and a host of friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a son, Ryan Glenn Carver, and a grandson, Nicholas Amadeus Cruz.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, July 30, 2024 at Adams-Green Funeral Home in Herndon, Virgina with funeral services following at 1:00 pm at the funeral home.

Nancy will be buried on Tuesday, August 6, 2024 at 1:00 pm at Delphos Cemetery, Delphos in the Nelson family plot.

Online condolences may be left for the family through the funeral home website at www.wilsonfamilyfuneralhome.com.