Marion Joseph Bollig Sr., age 83, Hays, Kan., beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend was surrounded by family as he went to be with his creator, the Lord on October 23, 2014, one day before his birthday, at his home.
Marion was born October 24, 1930 in Hays to Frank and Mary (Basgall) Bollig, and graduated from Hays High School in 1948. In 1957 he married Shirley Dreiling in Hays at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. She survives of the home. They celebrated their 57th anniversary last month.
They began and spent their entire life in Hays, joined by five children who are the loves of their life. Survivors include daughters Coleen Starling (Berry), Raleigh, N.C., and Camille Ellard, Hays; and sons Marion Joseph, Jr. (Linda), Baldwin; Jeff (Laurie), Overland Park, Kan.; and John, Hays. Marion and Shirley have nine grandchildren including Dane Schuckman, Spencer Schuckman, Stuart Schuckman, and Chelsea Jones, all of Raleigh, N.C.; Anna Bollig and Thomas Bollig, Baldwin; Kyle Bollig and Courtney Bollig, Overland Park; and Carrie Ellard of London, England, Cheyenne Ellard and Kirsten Ellard, Hays. They have a great-granddaughter Charlie Jones and a great-grandson Cooper Schuckman, Raleigh, N.C.
Marion was loyal and dedicated to his country, achieving the rank of Sergeant during the Korean Conflict and later serving in the National Guard. While in the Army, he participated in swimming and diving competitions, a talent first perfected at Massey Playground in Hays. Marion and his family loved spending time together, including camping and boating at Cedar Bluff Reservoir and Wilson Lake; and travelling across the country in their Winnebago. Colorado in the summertime was a favorite of the family, with stops at National Forests in every region of the state.
He was a life-long member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, served on the Parish Council and as a lector, was a 3rd Degree member of the Knights of Columbus Council #1325, a 4th Degree Member of the Bishop Cunningham Knights of Columbus, and a member of the parish’s cleaning group known as the “heavenly dusters.” He was also a member of the American Legion Post #173 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #9076. He was an avid sports fan and helped coached little league baseball and football. He had many interests including autos, western-themed television shows, sports of any kind (especially those involving the Kansas Jayhawks) and artistry in all mediums. He loved to watch television with a big wooden bowl of popcorn cradled in his arm.
Marion worked for the same employer his entire life, beginning as a driver/gauger under the name of H.M. Popp Oil Company and later as a manager for the company when it was sold to Permian Oil Corporation, a division of Occidental Petroleum Company.
He was proceeded in death by his parents, five brothers Robert, Elmer, John, Frank and Cecil; and seven sisters Delores (who died as an infant), Marcella McCullom, Helen Knowles, Frances Wooldridge, Margaret Hazelton and Clara Walters. Surviving in-laws include a Doug Hazelton (Margie), Lake Havasu, Ariz.; and Norma (Elmer) Bollig, Hays; and countless nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at 10:00 am on Wednesday, October 29, 2014 at the St. Joseph Catholic Church. Burial with military honors by the Hays VFW Post #9076 and the American Legion Post #173 will be in the St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 until 8:00 pm on Tuesday and from 9:00 am until 9:45 on Wednesday, all at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street. A Daughters of Isabella rosary will be at 6:00, a parish vigil service will be at 6:30, followed by a combined Third degree St. Joseph Council #1325 and Bishop Cunningham Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus rosary at 7:00 pm, all on Tuesday at the funeral home.
Memorials are suggested in his memory to St. Joseph Catholic Church, Hospice of Hays Medical Center, or to the Humane Society of the High Plains, in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com.