Hollie Persell, an 89-year-old resident of Hope, KS, passed away on Sunday, December 4, 2022 at Memorial Hospital in Abilene, Kansas.
Funeral services will be held at 6:00 p.m. Friday, December 16, 2022 at Yazel Megli Funeral Home in Herington, KS, led by Pastor Deb Wiles.
Hollie will be laid to rest at Half Rock Cemetery in Mercer County, MO.
Hollie was born November 1, 1933 in Grundy County, MO to David Arthur and Ruth Rosanna Crawford Persell. He graduated from Newtown High School and served in the Army during the Korean War. After his military service he was employed by the Milwaukee and Rock Island Railroad and worked his way up to Locomotive Engineer working out of the Kansas City, KS railyard. When the Rock Island ceased operating, he was employed by the Union Pacific Railroad working out of the Herington, KS railyard. In 2007 Hollie retired from his railroad career after fifty years of dedicated service.
Mr. Persell was a gifted gardener, naturalist, and conservationist. He was a member of the Herington Baptist Church, a Mason, a Shriner, and served as a member on the Hope, KS City Council.
He is survived by his wife, Kris of the home; his children, Jacqueline S. (Warren) Soptic of Trenton and John D. (Paula) Persell of Herington, KS; grandchildren, Jeremy Soptic, Jenny Soptic Lewis and Lacey Persell Srna; and great-grandchildren Cole Soptic, Jackson Lewis, Bennet Dawson, Kennedi and Kai Srna.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Jerry D. and John A. Persell; and sister, Amy Lucille Hayes.
Memorial contributions in Hollie™s name may be directed to the Masonic Lodge of Salina #60.
