Thaine Matson Siler

Thaine Matson Siler, Salina, 94, passed away, October 1, 2019. He was born September 2, 1925 at the home on a farm 5 miles N.E. of Wells, Kansas to Chester and Lillie (Matson) Siler.

He attended Sunnyside Country School and graduated from Minneapolis High School, entered into the service for World War 2 and served in the United States Army Paratroopers.

Upon returning home, he married Moyne Hanes and they resided in Wells, Kansas. He started a body and fender shop in Wells and in 1946 they moved to Denver, Colorado, where he was employed at Downtown Buick and Packard in Denver as a shop foreman. They moved back to Kansas around 1952 and he was employed as a shop foreman at Wagner Ford dealership in Salina, Kansas.

A few years later he entered into the real estate profession at the Greiner Real Estate Office. Later starting his own business “The Siler Agency”. Buying the corner of Santa Fe & Mulberry, which was a gas station. He designed and built the office building and continued in that location for over 50 years. Was known as the “The Flying Realtor” using his business plane to show the farms & property across the state of Kansas.

He was president of Salina Board of Realtors (1964), nominated as Young man of the year and President of the Breakfast Optimist Club (1960-1961), Chairman of the board of trustees at 1st Baptist Church, agent for North Kansas Savings & Loan, President of Siler Agency, Midwest Investment & Best Western Farm and Ranch, President Saline County School Board association (1963) and Rotary member for over 50 years.

Three children blessed this marriage. A daughter, Cindy Siler, who preceded him in death and two sons. Jack Siler of Martin, Tennessee and Steve Siler of Salina, Kansas.

He leaves his wife of 74 years, 8 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.

Thaine is also preceded in death by two brothers, Lee Siler and Carmen Siler.

He had many hobbies, farming, and raising registered seed, woodworking, fishing, but his most treasured was his love of flying. It started at an early age and the enthusiasm never ceased. He started flying lessons on his honeymoon and through the years he and Moyne have had many happy trips to nearly all the states, old Mexico and the Bahamas in their Beechcraft Bonanza.

He will be greatly missed as he was always ready to give advice and direction. Able to fix “Anything” from broken dolls to go-carts, cars. No job was too small or too large.

There was no advice he couldn’t give, No knowledge he couldn’t impart, Nothing he couldn’t do except ONE, Never could learn to dance.

Visitation will be Sunday, October 6, 2019 from 1:00 pm – 7:00 pm, with family receiving friends from 5:00 pm -7:00 pm.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 am, Monday, October 7, 2019 at Carlson-Geisendorf Funeral Home, Salina. Burial will follow at Bennington Cemetery, Bennington.

Donations may be made to Salina Rotary in care of Carlson-Geisendorf Funeral Home, 500 S. Ohio, Salina, Kansas 67401.

For more information or to send an online condolence, visit www.carlsonfh.net or on Facebook.