Ethan Perry (Lebanon)'s Obituary
James Ethan Perry, son of George Washington and Bessie Fay Appleberry Perry, was born March 31, 1931, near Lebanon, Missouri. He departed this life Tuesday, May 31, 2016, in Lebanon South Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, in Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of eighty-five years, two months.
On May 5, 1952, he was united in marriage to Treva Lucille Chastain, and to this union one daughter, Katherine Louise, and three sons, twins Ray and James Craig, and Michael Lynn were born.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Treva, on November 26, 2002; an infant son, Ray; a grandson, Dustin Perry; two brothers, Calvin “Bob” and Jessie; and two sisters, Ila and Bessie.
Ethan is survived by a daughter Kathy Kelsey, and her husband, Kent, of Lebanon, Missouri; two sons, Craig Perry, and his wife, Dianna, of Lebanon, Missouri, and Mike Perry, and his wife, Terri, of Marshfield, Missouri; six grandchildren, Tammy York, and her husband, John, of Lebanon, Missouri, Amanda Dewitt, and her husband, Tatem, of Ozark, Missouri, Trisha Murphy, and her husband, Chris, of Lebanon, Missouri, Logan Perry, and Hayden Perry, of Marshfield, Missouri, and Heather Mullens; eight great-grandchildren, Cole and Cannon York, Emma and Ashlyn Dewitt, August Perry, Adrian Breckner, Chloe Murphy, and Olivia Mullens; two sisters, Ida McKelvey, of Kansas City, Missouri, and Patsy Dismang, and her husband, Sammy, of Lebanon, Missouri; a sister-in-law, Maggie Edwards, of Lebanon, Missouri; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
He was born and raised in Laclede County, near Lebanon, Missouri, and always lived and worked in the Bennett Spring community. After Ethan and Treva were married and after the passing of her parents, they made their home on the family farm and lovingly raised their children. Besides being a devoted and hardworking husband and dad, Ethan was also employed by the Missouri State Parks, Department of Natural Resources at Bennett Spring for over twenty-five years, retiring in May of 1993.
Ethan had professed his faith in Christ and followed the Baptist faith. He attended Fellowship Baptist Church and held a membership in Union Mission Church. He was also very fond of Community Baptist Church.
After retiring, Ethan liked to go sit and tinker on things in his shop. He always had a wave for the friends who honked as they passed by on Highway 64. He was very fond of horses and usually had at least one or two around to ride. He also liked to fish and hunt, and sharing those activities with all his grandchildren brought him great joy. If given a choice, he would spend a day with a grandchild over anything else he could do. Each of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren held a special place in his heart. He was a very hardworking man and spent countless hours outside in the fields or in the yard. Something he was very proud of was a Brush Harbor meeting place that he and Treva created before her passing.
Ethan was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and was a caring neighbor and friend. He will be fondly remembered and greatly missed, but the wonderful memories he created for his family and friends will last forever.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Old Bolles Cemetery, and left at the funeral home.
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