Dennis L. Shirley

Dennis Lynn Shirley

April 10, 1937 - Oct. 14, 2016

OBERLIN, Kan. -- Dennis Lynn Shirley passed away Friday, Oct. 14, 2016, at his residence in Oberlin, Kansas, at the age of 79. He was born April 10, 1937, in Norton, Kan., the only child of Fay "Zeke" and Merle (Hix) Shirley.

Dennis was proud to be a lifetime resident of Decatur County, where his great-grandfather homesteaded years before. He grew up on the family farm west of Norcatur and graduated from Norcatur High School with the Class of 1955. Following graduation, Dennis served three years in the United States Air Force with the Strategic Air Command and was stationed in Labrador before his honorable discharge.

On Jan. 29, 1961, Dennis married Judith Ann Sloan at the Methodist Church in Norton. They made their home on the family farm most of their married life and were blessed with three children. Dennis devoted his life to his family, farm, school and community activities.

He began farming alongside his father at an early age and farmed and ranched most of his adult life, producing wheat, sorghum, corn and sunflowers and a commercial cow herd. In addition, he was the manager of the Peerless Grain Elevator in Norcatur from 1961-63. Dennis had a keen interest in his vocation and worked closely with the Kansas Legislature (1980-83), budgeting for agriculture; promoted funding for the International Grains Program at Kansas State University; met with many foreign buyers both here and abroad; met with the Secretary of Agriculture, Foreign Ag Service, Congressional representatives and committees in Washington, D.C.; and lobbied for lifting the grain embargo, setting farm policy, marketing and other ag-related interests.

He was proud of his family's involvement in their farming operation: Judy was a part-time income tax consultant and accountant and managed the farm accounting and taxes. Dennis was a Federal Land Bank stockholder. His son, Patrick (PT), joined the operation in 1984; he, with sisters, Vicki and Becky, have a real interest in Flying S, Inc., as with their help, the farm has grown to 8,625 acres in 1986 with 200,000 bushel grain storage.

Dennis' local, state and national memberships included: Norcatur United Methodist Church (served as a trustee), Decatur County Area Chamber of Commerce (organizing member), Decatur County HURA (board member), Decatur County ASCS board, Norcatur Commercial Club (president twice), chairman of the Norcatur Bi-Centennial, Decatur Fair Board (4-H representative), Kansas Wheat Commission, Great Plains Wheat Board, Kansas Assn. of Wheat Growers, Kansas Grain & Feed Dealers Assn., Kansas Fertilizer & Chemical Assn., Federal Land Bank stockholder for 20 years, The Bank Board of Directors, National Federation of Independent Businesses and American Legion Post No. 70.

Survivors include his wife, Judy of Oberlin; three children, Vicki Ruggiero and husband, Steve, of Bangor, Pa., Patrick "PT" Shirley and wife, Cindy, of rural Norcatur, and Becky Barlow of Tallahassee, Fla; four grandchildren, Lauren and Kasey Waldron, Shelbi McKenna, and Shelby Barlow; mother-in-law, Doris Sloan of Hoxie; and brother-in-law, Tom Sloan and wife, Leanna, of Hoxie; in addition to many other relatives and friends.

Dennis was preceded in death by his parents; father-in-law, Cleland Sloan; and a sister-in-law, Cindi Sauder.

Funeral services were Monday, Oct. 17, 2016, at Pauls Funeral Home in Oberlin with Pastor Gordon Pettibone officiating. Burial was in the Norcatur Cemetery with military committal rites by the Oberlin American Legion Post No. 70 and Oberlin Legion Riders. Memorial contributions may be addressed in Dennis' name and sent to the funeral home at 121 N. Penn Ave., Oberlin, KS 67749 (www.paulsfh.com).

Pauls Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.