Edward Shillington Parker

Edward Shillington Parker was born March 8, 1922, at Kansas City, Kansas. He was the son of Ernest R. and Ada M. (Shillington) Parker. He moved from Kansas City to Franklin County in 1953. In 1959, he moved to Ottawa, in Franklin County, Kansas, where he made his home until his death Friday, January 2, 2004, at the age of eighty-one years. Edward graduated from Central High School, Kansas City, Missouri, with the class of 1940. He also attended Parkville College, Kansas City, Missouri. From the 1950's to the late 1980's, he was involved with highway construction operating heavy equipment. He was employed by several construction companies, including Koss Construction, Howard Construction, and Tobin Construction. He also owned and operated Ed's Garage, Ottawa, working as an auto mechanic from the mid 1960's to the mid 1970's. Edward served in the United States Army Air Corp with the 464th Army Air Force Base Unit from October of 1942 to September of 1945. He was stationed in Europe during WWII, where he obtained the rank of Staff Sergeant, working as a bombsight mechanic. He was awarded the good conduct medal and distinguished unit badge. He was a member of Richter United Methodist Church. He was a member and past president of Aerie Lodge #2700, Fraternal Order of Eagles and life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Post #5901, both of Ottawa. On December 25, 1941, Edward was united in marriage with Betty Cummickel at Kansas City, Missouri. She survives of their home. He is also survived by six daughters, Wynnette Elliott of Ottawa, Jeannette Jensen of Lyndon, Karen Walburn and her husband, Gary, of Ottawa, Laura Huggard and her husband, Al, of Ottawa, Susan Higbee and her husband, Troy, of Pueblo West, CO, Linda Roller and her husband, Brian, of Ottawa; four sons, Wayne Parker and his wife, Judith, of Belton, TX, John Parker and his wife, Lavon, of Cedar Creek, TX, Martin Parker of Overland Park, Rick Parker of Neosho Rapids; brother, Arthur Parker of Amana, IA; twenty-two grandchildren; twenty-five great-grandchildren; aunt, Anna Bunyan and cousin, Peggy Taylor, both of Corvallis, Oregon. He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Robert Parker; and granddaughter, Julie Jensen. SERVICES: Funeral services will be held from the First United Methodist Church in Ottawa, 10:00a.m., Tuesday, January 6, 2004. OFFICIATING: John Parker IN STATE: Mr. Parker will lie in state at the Dengel & Son Mortuary after 5 p.m. Sunday to the service hour where the family will meet with friends 7-8 Monday evening. CEMETERY: Evergreen Mound Cemetery, northwest of Ottawa, with military honors by Veterans of Foreign Wars, Memorial Post 5901 MEMORIALS: The family suggests memorials to Past Presidents Club of the Fraternal Order of Eagles #2700, Ottawa c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.