IN MEMORIAM
EXPANDED EULOGIES
James Snelling
Services for James Woodrow Snelling, 93, who passed away Jan. 30, 2022, at Wichita Presbyterian Manor, were Sunday at Ascension Lutheran Church in Wichita with burial in Hillcrest Cemetery in Florence.
James’s life began May 1, 1928, in Florence. He was a son of James Arthur and Edith L. (Drush) Snelling and a 1946 graduate of Florence High School.
James enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on May 20, 1946, and served until May 19, 1949, when he left as a staff sergeant.
James was united in marriage to the former Luella Beneke on June 6, 1954, in Lincolnville. He worked at the Florence Bulletin before being employed by Trans World Airlines as a customer service and operations agent at Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City.
James’s job with TWA allowed the family to travel to many different cities in the U.S. and abroad. The family later moved to Wichita, where he worked at Mid-Continent Airport until he retired in 1985. He then had several part-time jobs until Luella retired.
James enjoyed attending Florence High School alumni banquets every year. He was a long-time member of Ascension Lutheran Church in Wichita and served on the church’s Commission of Properties, mowing and caring for the lawn well into his 80s. He enjoyed the outdoors, gardening (he loved his tomato plants!), and spending time with his family.
James is survived by his children, Doranne Beavers (and husband Roger) of Norman, Oklahoma; James Snelling (and wife Linda) of Bells, Texas; Mark Snelling, Brad Snelling, and Kay Adams (and husband Ron), all of Wichita; grandchildren Zac Beavers (and wife Mira), Tyler Beavers (and wife Lexie), Cody Beavers (and wife Christina), Kyle Koontz (and wife Natalie), Cody Koontz (and wife Lindsey), and Rachel Parker; and 15 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, grandson Ryan Parker, and siblings John Snelling and Shirley Robinson.
Yazel Megli Funeral Home is serving the family. Memorial contributions in his name may be directed to Ascension Lutheran Church or the Florence Historical Society. Please sign his online guestbook and leave a memory of James at www.yazelmeglifh.com.