Marion Joseph Bollig Sr., 83, Hays, died Thursday, Oct. 23, 2014, one day before his birthday, at his home.

He was born Oct. 24, 1930, in Hays to Frank and Mary (Basgall) Bollig. He was a 1948 graduate of Hays High School.

He married Shirley Dreiling in 1957 in Hays. They celebrated their 57th anniversary last month. He worked for the same employer his entire life, beginning as a driver and gauger under the name of H.M. Popp Oil Co., and later as a manager for the company when it was sold to Permian Oil Corp., a division of Occidental Petroleum Co. He was loyal and dedicated to his country, achieving the rank of sergeant during the Korean War and later serving in the National Guard. While in the Army, he participated in swimming and diving competitions, a talent first perfected at Massey Playground in Hays.

He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, served on the parish council and as a lector, was a Third Degree member of the Knights of Columbus Council No. 1325, a Fourth Degree Member of the Bishop Cunningham Knights of Columbus, and a member of the parish’s cleaning group known as the “heavenly dusters.” He was a member of American Legion Post No. 173 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 9076.

He enjoyed his family, spending time together, including camping and boating at Cedar Bluff Reservoir and Wilson Lake; and traveling across the country in their Winnebago. Colorado in the summertime was a favorite of the family, with stops at national forests in every region of the state. He was an avid sports fan and helped coached (sic)Little League baseball and football. He had many interests including autos, Western-themed television shows, sports of any kind (especially those involving the Kansas Jayhawks) and artistry in all mediums and enjoyed watching television with a big wooden bowl of popcorn cradled in his arm.

Survivors include three sons, Marion Joseph Jr. and wife, Linda, Baldwin, Jeff and wife, Laurie, Overland Park, and John, Hays; two daughters, Coleen Starling and husband, Berry, Raleigh, N.C., and Camille Ellard, Hays; 11 grandchildren, Dane Schuckman, Spencer Schuckman, Stuart Schuckman and Chelsea Jones, all of Raleigh, Anna Bollig and Thomas Bollig, Baldwin, Kyle Bollig and Courtney Bollig, Overland Park; Carrie Ellard, London, England, Cheyenne Ellard and Kirsten Ellard, Hays; a great-granddaughter, Charlie Jones; a great-grandson, Cooper Schuckman, Raleigh; his in-laws, Everett Knowles and wife, Helen and Doug Hazelton and wife, Margie, all of Lake Havasu, Ariz.; his sisters-in-law, Norma Bollig and husband, Elmer, Bollig, Hays, and Juanita Bollig and husband, Cecil, Dallas; and countless nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers, Robert, Elmer, John, Frank and Cecil; and seven sisters Delores (who died as an infant), Marcella McCullom, Helen Knowles, Frances Wooldridge, Margaret Hazelton, Dena Obholtz and Clara Walters.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Joseph Catholic Church; burial in St. Joseph Cemetery, with military honors by Hays VFW Post No. 9076 and American Legion Post No. 173.