Obituary for Martin Wayne Siler
On November 25, 2020, Martin Wayne Siler, loving husband and father of two children,
passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 76.
Wayne was born March 9, 1944 to Jim and Ruth (Scott) Siler. On May 20, 1967 Wayne
was married to Phyllis Suzanne Sloan. They raised a son, James Scott, and daughter,
Juliee Suzanne.
Wayne honorably served in the Unites States Army from 1967-1969. It was during this
time and during R&R, that Wayne and Phyllis discovered their favorite vacation spot –
Honolulu, Hawaii. They continued vacationing there for decades after his service.
Wayne was the owner and operator of Siler & Son Tree Surgeons of Kansas City for
over 30 years. He took pride making his hometown beautiful. Wayne touched
properties all over the city by making his customers, whom he called friends,
landscapes look beautiful. He was personable and informal, solidifying business
relationships with a handshake and a smile.
If you were a neighbor, family or friend, then you were lucky enough to enjoy
vegetables and fruits from his home garden. He meticulously nurtured potatoes,
lettuce, green beans, jalapenos, scallions from his garden, and fruit from his apple
and peach trees. He was most passionate about tomatoes and often grew three to
five varieties. In the spring and summer evenings neighbors would visit with Wayne as
he watered, trimmed and battled insects ensuring the best tomatoes one has tasted.
When the weekends rolled around, Wayne enjoyed taking his children and
grandchildren fishing. He taught a couple of generations patience and how to clean
and cook fish. He worked and played in the outdoors and he was most happy when he
could share this time with his family. He was a lifelong Royals and Chiefs fan for
those times he wasn’t outdoors.
Wayne was kind and had a soft spot for family. If you caught him on the phone
smiling, he was speaking with one of his siblings and catching up on how they and his
extended family were getting along.
Wayne was preceded in death by his father, Jim, and his mother, Ruth and Ruth’s
second husband, Bob. He is survived by his wife Phyllis, his two children, Scott
(Laura) and Juliee (Chad). His sisters Becky, Barbara, Chris and his brother Roger. Four
grandchildren, several cousins, nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be 9:30 to 10:30 am Tuesday, December 8th, 2020 at Bruce Funeral Home,
106 S. Center, Gardner, Kansas. Due to Covid, no more than 10 people will be allowed inside
at a time, masks are required and social distancing. Burial services will be held at the
Leavenworth National Cemetery on Tuesday, December 8th, 2020. Due to Covid and in
accordance with National Cemetery policy, only immediate family will be in attendance.
In lieu of flowers, it is the family’s wish that donations be made to www.alz.org
(Alzheimer’s Association) on behalf of Wayne & Phyllis Siler. Thank you. Condolences
may be left at www.brucefuneralhome.com Arrangements: Bruce Funeral Home, Gardner,
KS (913) 856-7111.
passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 76.
Wayne was born March 9, 1944 to Jim and Ruth (Scott) Siler. On May 20, 1967 Wayne
was married to Phyllis Suzanne Sloan. They raised a son, James Scott, and daughter,
Juliee Suzanne.
Wayne honorably served in the Unites States Army from 1967-1969. It was during this
time and during R&R, that Wayne and Phyllis discovered their favorite vacation spot –
Honolulu, Hawaii. They continued vacationing there for decades after his service.
Wayne was the owner and operator of Siler & Son Tree Surgeons of Kansas City for
over 30 years. He took pride making his hometown beautiful. Wayne touched
properties all over the city by making his customers, whom he called friends,
landscapes look beautiful. He was personable and informal, solidifying business
relationships with a handshake and a smile.
If you were a neighbor, family or friend, then you were lucky enough to enjoy
vegetables and fruits from his home garden. He meticulously nurtured potatoes,
lettuce, green beans, jalapenos, scallions from his garden, and fruit from his apple
and peach trees. He was most passionate about tomatoes and often grew three to
five varieties. In the spring and summer evenings neighbors would visit with Wayne as
he watered, trimmed and battled insects ensuring the best tomatoes one has tasted.
When the weekends rolled around, Wayne enjoyed taking his children and
grandchildren fishing. He taught a couple of generations patience and how to clean
and cook fish. He worked and played in the outdoors and he was most happy when he
could share this time with his family. He was a lifelong Royals and Chiefs fan for
those times he wasn’t outdoors.
Wayne was kind and had a soft spot for family. If you caught him on the phone
smiling, he was speaking with one of his siblings and catching up on how they and his
extended family were getting along.
Wayne was preceded in death by his father, Jim, and his mother, Ruth and Ruth’s
second husband, Bob. He is survived by his wife Phyllis, his two children, Scott
(Laura) and Juliee (Chad). His sisters Becky, Barbara, Chris and his brother Roger. Four
grandchildren, several cousins, nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be 9:30 to 10:30 am Tuesday, December 8th, 2020 at Bruce Funeral Home,
106 S. Center, Gardner, Kansas. Due to Covid, no more than 10 people will be allowed inside
at a time, masks are required and social distancing. Burial services will be held at the
Leavenworth National Cemetery on Tuesday, December 8th, 2020. Due to Covid and in
accordance with National Cemetery policy, only immediate family will be in attendance.
In lieu of flowers, it is the family’s wish that donations be made to www.alz.org
(Alzheimer’s Association) on behalf of Wayne & Phyllis Siler. Thank you. Condolences
may be left at www.brucefuneralhome.com Arrangements: Bruce Funeral Home, Gardner,
KS (913) 856-7111.