PARKER, Leonard Chapin (1910-1992)

PARKER, CHAPIN, STRANATHAN

Posted By: L. Logue (email)
Date: 8/26/2015 at 00:26:54

Malvern, Iowa - Nov 1992

Leonard Chapin Parker was born Sept. 30, 1910 at Hastings, IA, to Hosmer George Parker and Mary Jones (Chapin) Parker.

Leonard attended North Grove and Centerline country schools and graduated from Malvern High School in 1928.

On Jan. 17, 1934, Leonard was married to Helen Stranathan in Council Bluffs, IA. They set up their household with Leonard working as a hired man for $25 per month. But, of course that included use of a house and a hog to butcher.

He continued farming for the rest of his life, most of it with a 1937 and a 1954 Allis Chalmers tractor, both of which still survive in reasonably good operating condition.

Leonard was a simple man, loyal to his family and to his land. These were his activities, his special interests and his hobbies. He did not desire to travel outside the Malvern area.

His grandchildren were a special joy to him--he sometimes not too subtly reminding them of the ways of his generation, and they sometimes not too subtly trying to nudge him closer to the ways of the 1990's. One thing was always present, there was mutual love and respect on both sides of the discussion.

Leonard died at home, Nov. 20, 1992, with his wife of almost 59 years at his side. Although sudden and unexpected, his death was as he would have wanted it, in his overalls, sweatshirt, old brown hat and with muddy boots on--having just come in from doing the chores and getting ready to feed his dog.

Leonard was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Kenneth, Corwin and Bernard, and a sister Bernice.

He is survived by his wife Helen of Malvern; a son Gary and his wife Marilyn of Bellevue, NE; a daughter Mary Anna Hunt and her husband Pete of Malvern; five grandchildren Shannon and Todd Parker and Kim, Kevin and Kara Hunt; as well as many friends in Malvern and the surrounding area.

Funeral services were held Monday, Nov. 23, 1992, at the Malvern United Methodist Church with Rev. Donald Frizzell officiating. Burial was in the East Liberty Cemetery. Visitation was held Sunday, Nov. 22, at the East Liberty Church.

Serving as pallbearers were Kevin Hunt, Todd Parker, Todd Kellison, Bob Downing, Curt Arnold and F.E. Mulholland. Honorary pallbearers were Ned Turner, Max Dashner, Bobby Stille, Walter Stille and Bernard Roenfeldt. Doug Conner, Harold Seipold and Tom Woolsey served as ushers. Mary Woolsey and Lorraine Newell were at the registry.

Kara Hunt as pianist played "How Great Thou Art." Organist Kathy Dickersbach accompanied the congregation in singing "Come, Ye Thankful People, Come."

Mansfield-Hertz Funeral Home in Malvern was in charge of arrangements.