ABILENE -- Dixie L. (Utley) Tower, age 71, died June 30, 2009, in Salina. Mrs. Tower was born Dixie Lee Utley on June 30, 1938, in Salina to Alvin L. and Elizabeth (Burton) Utley. She was a waitress for many years for La Hacienda Mexican Restaurant in Salina.

She is preceded in death by her parents; a son, Alvin D. Robinson-1957; a daughter, Latina R. Tower-2008; two brothers, Larry and Gary Utley; and a sister, Sondra Tower.

She is survived by her husband, John M. Tower III, of the home; sons, John M. Tower IV, of Topeka, Michael J. Tower and Anthony R. Robinson, both of Solomon, and Jeral W. Robinson Jr., of Mansfield, Texas; daughters, Jacqueline Ann Summers, Doreen Lantz, Mary Ann Tower and Sabrina L. Lawrence, all of Salina, and Denise Jett, of Wichita; brothers, Robert L. Utley, of Omaha, Neb., and Jerry T. Utley, of Grove, Okla.; 28 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Ryan Mortuary, 137 North Eighth St., Salina, with the Rev. Paul Robbins officiating. Burial will be in Gypsum Hill Cemetery, Salina. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at the mortuary. Memorials are suggested to the Dixie Tower Memorial Fund, c/o Sunflower Bank, Salina. To send condolences, visit www.ryanmortuary.com.