Wilbur Dean Parker.... Age 79

CREMATION

VISITATION: 2-4PM SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2014
EDDY-bIRCHARD FUNERAL HOME

COMMITTAL OF ASHES AT A LATER DATE
MIAMI MEMORIAL GARDENS, PAOLA, KS.

MEMORIALS: MAKE A WISH FOUNDATION

Memorials may be sent in care of:
Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home
P.o> Box 430
Osawatomie, KS 66064

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Wilbur Dean Parker age 79, of Osawatomie, Kansas formerly of Paola, Kansas died Wednesday, November 19, 2014 at the Lifecare Center of Osawatomie.

He was born May 24, 1935 in Paola, Kansas the second child of two, born to George Byron and Nellie Elizabeth (Frakes) Parker.

Wilbur was raised on a farm in Paola, he attended the Paola schools graduating from Paola High School in the class of 1953.

In 1957 he enlisted in the United States Army Reserves and participated in the reserves for about one year. During this time Wilbur married his sweetheart Judith Marcella Ziegler on July 20, 1957 at the Church of Christ in Osawatomie. They made their home in Osawatomie and became the parents of three daughters, Marcy, Patty and Sheryl. Wilbur and Judy were married for over fifty-seven years.

Wilbur went to work for Delco Battery Plant in Olathe, Kansas where he worked from 1961 until retirement in 1993. He worked in the production area of the plant assembling automobile batteries. His friends at Delco all called him “T-Bone”

He was a lifelong resident of Miami County, from birth. He and Judy raised their girls in Osawatomie where they lived for over twenty-five years. The couple moved to Paola in 1983 and remained there until July of this year when Wilbur’s health required him to live at the Lifecare Center.

Wilbur was a man who had varied interest, like watching sports on TV, he was especially fond of the KC Chiefs, attending dirt car races or just resting on the sofa and watching a good western was always a favorite pastime. He loved country music and the oldies were his choice selection. But his passion was collecting antiques, he loved to go to sales, auctions, antique stores and antique malls were a great delight for him. He collected many different kinds of things from old glass milk bottles to wooden farm implements like shovels.

Wilbur was preceded in death by his parents, his older infant brother, and one grand-daughter, Chelsea Bennett in 2007 due to a car accident.

He is survived by his wife Judy of the home, three daughters: Marcy Bennett of Osawatomie, Patty (Allen) Brown of Osawatomie and Sheryl Brewer of Olathe, Kansas. Four grandchildren: Nikki Stamper, Ray Brown, Travis Brewer, Tracy Brewer and eight great-grand-children along with many nieces, nephews, family members and friends.