Si was born April 30, 1919, in Zebra, Missouri. His family faced continual financial hardships throughout his childhood and at a young age he learned to hunt in order to provide meat for the table. He often shared stories of meals consisting of produce from his mother’s vegetable garden and the squirrel and rabbit that he brought home.

Si’s childhood memories included special moments when his mom would sit in her rocker with him on her lap and sing hymns and Civil War songs. In the last year of his life, those songs once again became vivid to him and he sang them often. Anyone who was around him for very long was sure to hear one of those songs. He was always singing or humming a tune.

Si joined the Army Air Corp and fought in World War II. He met the love of his life, Loret, in 1941 and they were married two years later. Shortly after their wedding, Si left for the European front and remained in combat until the end of the war.

Marilyn, their first child, was born in 1946 and Lynne, their long-awaited second child, was born in 1950. Two years later, Si left for the Korean Conflict. This was one of the many separations that his family would face during his years in the service.

The years that followed his return from Korea were filled with constant moves due to duty assignments, sometimes as often as every six months. His family was blessed with international travel as he served three years attached to the Colombian Air Force in South America and four years in missile command in Germany. Finally, after returning to Denver, he retired from the service in 1967.

Following that retirement he worked for RCA and Control Data, as an innovative IT specialist. Si was always known for his ability to fix anything. He not only was commended often at work for his creative problem-solving abilities, but was also known as the neighborhood fixit man. His workshop was always filled with small appliances, toys, and other things needing repair. If he couldn’t find the part, he would create one. Working with his hands was one of the things he missed the most as his eyesight began to fail due to macular degeneration.

From his childhood, Si knew all about Jesus. During the 1970’s, though, he committed his life anew to the Lord. His mother had a dream when she was pregnant with him that he would be an evangelist and so she named him Silas. When he surrendered his life to Jesus, that calling came forth. He and Loret began ministering to the homeless in downtown Denver, feeding them both natural and spiritual food and led many to the Lord. Then, along with Linn and Connie Black, they ministered in nursing homes for years. Si prepared teachings each week to share God’s Word with all who would listen. His family now cherishes many of his handwritten sermon notes.

During Si’s final years here on earth, he began sharing stories of his life that he had kept in his heart until then. Many difficult stories of war, poverty and loss, but also sweet stories of childhood memories and things he and his love, Loret, enjoyed together. He could be heard several times a day asking, “How are you doing?” to Loret and everyone else around him. Even more times a day, he blessed his family and friends with “Bless you!” spoken over them again and again. A sweet gentleness and love flowed out of him as Jesus healed many of the wounds his heart had experienced in life.

He always had a dollar for each great-grandchild that visited. After he lost his sight, he would ask a family member to pull just the right bills from his wallet. He would keep them by his chair, waiting for the children to arrive. He will always be remembered as a wonderful father and very special grandfather and great-grandfather.

When Loret graduated to her heavenly home, Si lost all desire to remain here on earth. He held hand as she was passing and told her, “Wait for me. I’ll be with you soon.” Nine days later he joined her there. Together for almost three-quarters of a century, they are now together forever in the courts of the Lord.

Si will be buried with military honors at Fort Logan National Cemetery.

Si is survived by his daughters, Marilyn Phillipps and Lynne Snelling; and brother, Elmer Snelling; grandchildren, Cristine Arnold, Sean Snelling, Michael Phillipps, and Jason Phillipps; great-grandchildren, Luke and Jake Arnold, Grace and Max Phillipps, Christian and Kortney Snelling. He is preceded in death by his wife of 71 years, Loretta Snelling; parents, Ralph and Julia Snelling; brothers, Harrison and Roylee Snelling; and sisters, Ruby Selle, Alice Snelling, Mary Snelling, Audry Williams, and Zelma Watson.

Memorial contributions may be made to Cedarwood Christian Academy, 11430 East 19th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80010.

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