Robert Collid Salem

Oct. 2, 1932-Aug. 1, 2011

OBERLIN, Kansas -- Robert Collid Salem, 78, died Monday (Aug. 1, 2011) at Decatur County Hospital in Oberlin, Kansas.

He was born Oct. 2, 1932, in Cimmeron, Kansas, to Robert Guy and Zella (Prescott) Salem. He was raised on a farm near Cimmeron. He attended Ensign, Kansas schools, graduating in 1950.

On Dec. 31, 1956, he married Betty Foster in Ensign, Kansas. The couple lived in Dodge City, Kansas, before moving to Oberlin, Kansas, in 1968.

He worked in sales and advertising.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Bill Salem; brother-in-law, Harry Bunnell; sister, Darlene Hornmaker; sister-in-law, Penny Salem; and son-in-law, Kent Ploussard.

Survivors include his wife, Betty; sons, Bob and wife, Linda of Salina, Kansas, and Rick and fiancee, Dianne of Oberlin; son-in-law, Terry Steinmetz; daughters, Sid Steinmetz of Oberlin, Brenda Ploussard of Oberlin and Rhonda Manning of Oberlin; brothers, Virgil Salem and wife, Judy of Cimmeron; brother-in-law, Bob Foster of Emporia, Kansas; sisters, Delores Bunnell of Copeland, Kansas; sister-in-law, Wilma Wiese and husband, Jim of Bethany, Oklahoma; eight grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services are Thursday, 10:30 a.m., at Pauls Funeral Home in Oberlin, with the Rev. Tom Smith officiating. Interment is in the Oberlin Cemetery.

Visitation is today until 8 p.m. and Thursday, 8 a.m. until the service time, at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made in his name.

Pauls Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.