Obituary of Wayne Folsom

Wayne Folsom age 77, passed away peacefully at home in Salina, KS on September 12, 2011. Wayne was born in Great Bend, KS the son of the late George and Helen (Plotner) Folsom. He grew up in Hoisington, KS. He joined the navy after high school in the 1950's and served during the Korean War. He then married his first wife and had four children; Janie, Sharon, Kelly and Jimmy. He was a conductor for the Missouri Pacific Railroad. Wayne found the Lord Jesus Christ in October 1972. He was never afraid to share with others that the Lord is the reason why he changed his life around. After going through a divorce he met his current wife Shirley in February of 1973. After convincing her to marry him on November 9, 1973 they set up housekeeping in Hoisington, KS with her two daughters Teri and Stormy Burdette. Wayne was very active in the Hoisington Bible Church. He also liked cooking at church camps. In 1987 Wayne needing a quadruple bi-pass surgery. With his children being away from home and starting their own families and Shirley working, he had to depend on his good friends Marty Anderson and Glenn Brack to help him recover from his surgery. It was just Wayne and Shirley until 1990 when Teri, Shirley's first daughter died of leukemia. Since Teri was divorced with two children, Anthony 5 and Ashley 3, Wayne told his wife that the Lord wanted them to bring the children home with to Kansas. They continued to live in Hoisington, KS until 1997 when Union Pacific Railroad closed the depot in Hoisington and Wayne retired. The family relocated to Salina, KS in 1998. Wayne celebrated 39 years of sobriety on July 29, 2011. He never missed very many Monday and Wednesday meetings. He was an inspiration to new AA members. Wayne loved to go fishing ever since his dad took him fishing when he was young. He would either go by himself or with friends. When he moved to Salina he purchased a boat to go fishing. However, as he got older he got rid of the boat. Then he met Jesse and they went fishing all the time. He enjoyed going to the Mall and McDonald's having coffee with numerous friends. On the first Monday of every month, he would also meet up with the Railroaders for coffee. Wayne lived a full and happy life with many beloved family members and friends. If there is a lake in Heaven, you can guarantee that Wayne will be found there, with a fishing rod, a cup of coffee, and visiting with the friends and family that are already there. Survivors are his wife, Shirley, his sister Joan Tenbarge of Walton, Ks, his brother Ken Folsom and wife Judy of Colorado Springs. Children Janie Stannard of Leon, Sharon Bridges of Sand Springs, Ok., Kelly Colbert of Derby, Ks, James Folsom, wife Jill of Newcastle, Ok., Stepdaughter Stormy Smith, husband Buddy of Cape Coral, Fl, Grandson Anthony Lucero of Salina, Ashley (Lucero)Charlton of Salina, Granddaughter, Alaina Burdette of Cape Coral, Fl.,Grandson Sgt. Russell Smith, Grandson Joey Smith of Richmond, VA., Numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and many wonderful friends. He was loved and will be greatly missed. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday at St. John's Missionary Church in Salina with burial at 2:30pm at the Hoisington Cemetery, Hoisington, KS. Memorials may be designated to St. John's Missionary Church, Hoisington Bible Church or Hospice of Salina, in care of Christians Funeral Home 103 N. Washington Street P. O. Box 386 Lindsborg, KS.Online condolences at www.ChristiansFuneralHome.com