Obituaries - Wednesday, October 21

Sherilyn “Sheri” Sue Desaire

April 20, 1958 - October 16, 2026

Sherilyn “Sheri” Sue Desaire, 68, of Salina would like to let you know that her work here on this Earth is done as she escaped her mortal realm on Friday, October 16, 2026. She received an unexpectedly quick call from God, an offer that she could not refuse, with a bonus of a reunion with her angel grandkids (Ethan Sankey and Isaiah Smith) and other family members that she has not seen in a long time.

Sheri was born on April 20, 1958, in Salina, the daughter of John (Jack) Emig, Marilyn Morton and Ralph Morton. Sheri is survived by her husband of 45 years - Marty Desaire, Daughters - Kristin (Amit) Save and Kendra (Matthew) Smith, Sister – Kathy (Don) Matkins and her niece Jenny McAnarney, Brother - Terry Morton, Sisters - Pam Schwartz and Paula Robertson, Grandchildren - Aidan & Logan Sankey, Keaton, Maliah & Isaac Smith and many extended family members and friends. Sheri is preceded in death by her parents and two grandkids – Ethan and Isaiah.

Sheri graduated from Abilene high school and later graduated from Wichita State University with a bachelor’s degree in nursing. She dedicated her life as a nurse and worked for 40 years at Salina Regional Health Center. Anyone who knew Sheri would tell you that she did not just exist, but she lived, her presence was always felt, she loved hard, always had a broad smile on her face and had a heart of gold. She loved spending time with her husband, grandkids and daughters. She was the captain of our family, on-the bench cheerleader for her grandkids and backbone for her husband, Marty, in every step of his life. Her faith in God, and the love she had for the Church was undeniable and brought a spark on her face.

Sheri left this world knowing and experiencing that Kansas City Chiefs is the best NFL team she has ever watched, her grandkids could never ever do anything wrong (academically and in sports), spicy food was never her thing, could explore the dark nights while driving without any problems and would have an optimism of winning every time she entered the casino. The world is a little less sparkly without her in it.

The visitation will be from 4 pm to 8 pm Wednesday October 21, 2026, at Ryan Mortuary, 137 N 8th St. Salina, KS. The Rosary will be at 7 pm. The funeral mass will be held at 10 am, Thursday October 22, 2026, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton - 1000 Burr Oak Ln, Salina, KS, with Fr. Michael Elan officiating. A nightingale tribute by the Salina Chapter Nurse Honor Guard will be held during the service.

Burial will follow the service at Mount Saint Joseph Cemetery, 905 2400 Ave. Abilene, KS and a luncheon will follow the graveside.

Ryan Mortuary

Shirley Deloris Day

June 11, 1935 - October 17, 2026

Shirley Deloris Day, 91, died in hospice care in Salina on October 17, 2026. She was born Shirley Deloris Jayne on June 11, 1935, in Wichita, to Fay and Gertrude Jayne.

Shirley’s faith in Jesus Christ was central to her life. She faithfully attended church, studied the Bible, prayed with others, invited people to church, and openly shared the gospel. Her faith shaped the way she loved her family and welcomed others into her home. She also sang for years in a trio and looked forward to singing with them again in heaven.

In her final conversations with her daughters, Shirley was able to say her goodbyes. She was not reluctant about where she was going. She was excited about seeing Jesus, being reunited with Jon, and seeing those she loved who had gone before her.

Shirley married Jon Earl Day on April 26, 1958, in Wichita. They were married for 65 years before his death in 2023. Their marriage was central to her life. Together they built a home, raised four daughters, made their way through difficult years, and remained devoted to one another.

They also loved traveling together in their RVs. Their trips often revolved around visiting family, seeing national parks, and taking in the country together. Home and family remained the center of their life.

Her home became the place where people gathered. Holidays mattered to her, but so did ordinary get-togethers, meals, conversation, children underfoot, and simply having people together. Shirley wanted everyone to have a place. If she learned that someone was going to be alone for a holiday, she invited them to join the family. Sometimes that meant a friend. Sometimes it meant someone she had only recently met who was new in town and otherwise would have spent the holiday alone.

Shirley was outgoing and sociable and loved a party. She loved to laugh, and she was especially good at laughing at herself.

More than anything else, Shirley was proud of her family. To her daughters, Shirley was not only their mother. She was also a friend. She loved being a grandmother and remained involved in the lives of her grandchildren as they grew up. She babysat them, kept up with what was happening in their lives, called them, encouraged them, and showed up for them.

For decades, Shirley ran Day Income Tax from her home in Salina. The business helped make ends meet and also helped provide things for the children and opportunities for the family to travel.

Shirley enjoyed traveling, singing, cake decorating, ceramics, and scrapbooking. Much of what she preserved in her scrapbooks was family life: children, grandchildren, holidays, trips, and ordinary family memories. She was always trying new things.

Shirley spent more than 40 years in Salina and more than 10 years in Collinsville, Oklahoma. After Jon’s death, she chose to return to Salina to be near friends and family.

Her family knew her as Shirley, Mom, Grandma, and Grammie.

She was a member of Grace Baptist Temple in Salina, Collinsville Baptist Tabernacle in Collinsville, Oklahoma, and later attended Ray Avenue Baptist Church in Salina.

Shirley is survived by her four daughters, Jeanie Phillips and her husband, Gary; Sheryl Briggs and her husband, Richard; Debi Day; and Lynn Harris. She is also survived by 14 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, and her siblings June Brillhart, Melvin Jayne, and Joan Brown.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jon Earl Day; her son-in-law, Mel Harris; her grandson, Joshua Briggs; and her siblings Fred, Harold, Ruby, Dale, Lora Bell, Clora Mae, Maynard, Charline, and Arline.

Shirley would want one final thing said plainly. Jesus Christ is God. He died for our sins and rose from the dead, and salvation is found in Him alone. If you do not know Christ, repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. Trust Him for salvation.

Funeral services will be held Friday, October 23, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Ray Avenue Baptist Church, 2801 Ray Avenue, Salina.

Arrangements are being handled by Ryan Mortuary.

Shirley will be cremated, and her ashes will be laid to rest with Jon at Ridgelawn Cemetery in Collinsville, Oklahoma, at a later date.

Flowers may be sent to Ray Avenue Baptist Church.

Ryan Mortuary