WICHITA — Ronald Dean Swalley, 81, died at his home in Wichita, Kan., on Oct. 29, 2023.  He was born July 30, 1942, in Nowata, Okla., the son of James E. and Edith (Hicks) Swalley. Ronald graduated from Hoisington High School in 1960. He served in the United States Army Reserves from 1966 to 1971 as a Specialist 5.

On Dec. 22, 1962, he married Carol Darlene Stuart in Ulysses, Kan. 

Ronald worked as a CO-OP grain elevator manager for 37 years, that took them across four states, retiring in 2006. He was active in his community serving as a volunteer fireman, in civil defense, and with the chamber of commerce. He was a member of the Believer’s Southern Baptist Church of Wichita.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Carol Swalley of the home; son, Shane (Sue) Swalley of Belpre,: daughter, Kara (Paul) Jones of Tulsa, Okla.; grandchildren, Justin Swalley and Janessa Swalley both of Great Bend, Kaylin Drake of Belpre, Baleigh (Zaid) Kadhim of Dallas, Texas, and Stuart Jones of Tulsa, Okla.; and brothers, Glenn Swalley of Ft. Collins, Colo., and Hal Swalley of Wichita; sisters, Janice Kempke of Claflin, Kan., Wanda Flood of Mayfield, New York, Sue Helfer of Alaska, and Ann Wolff of Tulsa, Okla. He was preceded in death by his parents; and an infant son, Thad Stuart Swalley.

Friends may sign the book today and until service. There will be no viewing as cremation has taken place. Memorial service will be 1 p.m., Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home Chapel, with Pastor Tim Ohls presiding. Inurnment with military honors will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park, rural Great Bend, Kan. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association or Believer’s Southern Baptist Church of Wichita, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544. Notices may be viewed and condolences sent at www.nicholsonrickefh.net

Funeral arrangements provided by

Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home 

P.O. Box 146 

Hoisington, KS.  67544

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Oct. 31, 2023