Mary J. Silka

1937 - 2024

Mary J. Silka, 87, of Leeton, Missouri passed away peacefully, on Saturday, July 20. 2024. Mary was born in Gunnison, Colorado on March 20, 1937. Her parents were Carl E. and Ann J. Silka. Carl was a hard-working coal miner and Mary had the same work ethic as her parents. Mary had one brother, Bob Silka, also from Gunnison, who pre-deceased her.
Mary and her longtime companion, Roy Lee Williams, lived on a ranch near Leeton, where they raised quarter horses and cattle. They owned racehorses for a period of time and owned a home in Ruidoso Downs, N. M., where they would spend part of the racing season during the summers. Roy passed away in April of 1989.
Mary continued to raise cattle at her ranch and with the help of many neighbors and friends she was able to keep her beloved ranch up and running. There was always a fence needing to be mended or a pond to be dug, or thistles that needed done away with. She tried to keep her pastures in pristine shape and would be found many times after dark mowing the yard around her home. Working only sun up to sunrise meant nothing to her. If work needed to be done, the time of day did not matter. Mary knew how she wanted things done...enough said.
Mary had many, many friends in and around the Henry County area and all over the USA. She traveled extensively when Roy was alive but her favorite place was her ranch. Mary loved her friends and nothing more than a great conversation and maybe a slice of pie and a cup of coffee, too. She was always available to lend a helping hand or assist her friends with paying a bill or two. Her friendship knew no bounds.
Mary has been cremated and her ashes will be taken to Colorado where her good friend will take Mary's ashes by horseback to South Castle Basin where she will be laid to rest with her parents and brother. Peace to our Mary. She was loved and will be missed.
A service of remembrance will be held on Tuesday, August 6, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at "The Ranch". Arrangements are under the direction of the Bradley & Hadley Funeral Home, Clinton. Condolences may be left online at www.bradleyhadley.com.