Elwin “Pete” Dale Henry, 85, Ottawa, Kan., passed away Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010, at Ransom Memorial Hospital in Ottawa. He was born July 23, 1924, in Severy, Kan., the son of Wilford C. and Fern M. (Shultz) Henry.

His childhood and young adult years were spent in Severy, Kan., Phoenix, Ariz., Michigan Valley, Kan., and Centropolis, Kan. He graduated from Michigan Valley High School with the class of 1941.

Elwin married Martha Riley in Garnett, Kan., at the Methodist Church Chapel on July 22, 1956. She survives of the home.

He was a Pomona High School Board member, Ottawa Co-Op Association Board member (6 years), as well as a member of the Centropolis Christian Church. Elwin very much enjoyed farming, including his dairy and beef cattle herds. He was also very gifted at building and repairing farm machinery. Upon retirement, one of his favorite hobbies was woodworking, making many items for his children and grandchildren as well as friends. He also made a pair of coffee tables for the Alpha of Clovia house at Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kan.

Survivors include his wife, Martha; son, Terry (Mary Ann) of Baldwin, Kan., and their children, Joy Denning, Angela (Sean) Denning-Barnes and great-granddaughter, Eleanor, Catherine (Nate) Welch, and Mary Denning and friend, Brian Hanabury; daughters, Sheri (Alan) Beisner of Alton, Kan., and their children, Christy (Warren) Richardson, Ely Johnson, Tiara Johnson, Jed Johnson, and Seth Johnson; Sue (Joe) Myers of Meriden, Kan., and their children, Ross Myers and friend, Katy Pence, and Sam Myers; Lisa (Robert) Kockler of Lone Rock, Iowa; nephew, Lynn (Sherry) Schoonover; and numerous other family members.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and his sister, Lola Schoonover.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, 2010, at Dengel and Son Mortuary, Ottawa. Visitation will be 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2010, at the mortuary. Burial will follow at Valley Brook Cemetery, Overbrook, Kan.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Centropolis Christian Church or the Alzheimer’s Association and sent in care of Dengel and Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory St., Ottawa, KS 66067.

Online condolences may be shared with the family at dengelmortuary@sbcglobal.net.

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