John E. Parry

John Elden Parry, 92, of Westmoreland, KS, passed away Saturday, April 18, 2009 at the Wamego City Hospital. He was born February 2, 1917, in a farm house in western Riley County, near Wakefield, KS. He was one of 7 children born to John David Parry and Ellen Beatrice (Myers) Parry. John attended Prairie Grove and Myersdale Grade Schools in Riley County, and Swamp Angel Grade School in Pottawatomie County. He graduated from Stockdale High School in Riley County in 1935. On February 12, 1941, John married Esther Mae Grounds at his grandpa Myers home near Wakefield, KS. She survives of the home. Following high school, John farmed for his parents in the Blue Township area of Manhattan. In 1948, he started working for Pottawatomie County and moved to Westmoreland. He worked for the Pottawatomie County Highway Dept. until his retirement in 1982. He then worked part time another 6 years as an assistant to the County Engineer and spent two years as the acting county engineer from 1958 to 1960. He was the Clerk of the Westmoreland Grade School for 6 years, served one term on the Westmoreland City Council and as president of the Westy Service Club, served as a member of the Pottawatomie County Planning Board, and was a volunteer fireman. Additional survivors include: five daughters, Karen Parry Horner, and husband Seward, Garnett, KS, Sharon Parry Stebens, Topeka, KS, Janet Parry Iotti, and husband Dr. Robert Iotti, Manalapan, NJ, Jane Parry Shehi, Westmoreland, KS, Kathleen Parry Lauer, Emporia, KS; one son, John J, Parry, and wife Deborah, Onaga, KS; two brothers, Charles E. Parry, and wife Clara Jo, Wichita, KS, Dr. Myron Parry, and wife Ann, Rolla, MO; one sister, Ethyln Taylor, Bloomington, IN; 9 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Margaret Dimon, and Lucille Coulson, and one brother, Donald A. Parry. Funeral services for Mr. Parry will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 22, 2009 at the Stewart Funeral Home of Wamego. Burial will follow in the Westmoreland City Cemetery. Mr. Parry will lie in-state beginning at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home, where the family will greet friends during a visitation from 6:30 until 8:00 p.m. In Lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the American Diabetes Foundation or to the American Cancer Society, and may be left in care of the Stewart Funeral Home of Wamego, KS, PO Box 48, 66547.