By HDN Staff
HAYS Wesley Parker Kirkaldie, 20, a Seaman on the USS Shiloh in San Diego, died Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2001, in San Diego. The coroner ruled the death a suicide by asphyxiation.
Wake and rosary will be 7 p.m. Wednesday at St. Paul's Mission Gymnasium in Hays. Mass will be 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Paul's Mission Gymnasium with military honors at the St. Paul's Mission Cemetery following the service.
Kirkaldie was born May 27, 1981, at Great Falls. He was raised and educated in Hays and graduated from Hays High School in 1999. He enlisted in the Navy in August of 1999. He had served all over the world while stationed at San Diego. Wes loved walking, hunting, fishing and
camping. He really enjoyed visiting with family and friends, and his favorite saying was (wash-day cola), which means "Everything is good."
He was preceded in death by grandmother, Shirley Kirkaldie on Jan. 3, 2001, grandfather, Albert Snell on Nov. 11, 2000, great grandmother, Marie McConnell on Nov. 6, 1988, and brother, Gerard Healy on Aug. 17, 2000.
Survivors include his mom and dad, Ione and Raymond Snell of Hays, father, Kenneth Piapot of Rocky Boy; special friend, Michell Lone Bear of Lodge Pole; brothers, Coshaunn Snell, Darren Flansburg of Hays; sister, Wendy Kirkaldie of Havre; grandparents, Tom Kirkaldie of Hays, Bessie Piapot of Rocky Boy, Harold "Bazoo" and Theresa Werk of Hays, Roberta Azure of Hays, great grandfather, Virgil McConnell of Hays.
Adams Funeral Home of Malta is in charge of arrangements.
