Elery Park Willey Jr., son of Elery Park and Anita Randolf Willey, was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on March 7, 1927. He lived most of his life on the family farm near Chelsea and Belle Plaine, Iowa. He graduated from Belle Plaine High School, where he had many good times with Chuck McLennan and Louis Winslow.

He met Donna Rinderknecht at a Jr. Farm Bureau dance in Keystone and as he often said, "it was love at first sight." On March 20, 1949, he was united in marriage with Donna Rinderknect in Van Horne, Iowa. To this marriage, three children were born: Kathleen, Cheryl, and James.

E.P. served in the Air Force during the Korean War. Donna and E.P. operated the family dairy and crop farm, where their family grew, and E.P. and Donna were active in both communities and Christ United Methodist Church in Belle Plaine.

E.P. worked for JW Musel and Sons John Deere dealership in Chelsea Iowa, and Sindt Implement in Keystone for many years in sales and management. He was later employed by JI Case in management at company dealerships in Cedar Rapids and Marshalltown, Iowa. In 1976, E.P. and Donna enjoyed their dream of owning their own business, the Waverly Motor Supply, a regional auto parts distributor in Waverly Iowa. They were very happy when their son, James, joined them as the Manager of their business. The three of them operated the Motor Supply until 1989 when E.P. and Donna retired.

E.P. is a Past Master of Zenith Lodge #581 at Chelsea, Iowa, and of Tyrrell Lodge #116 at Waverly, and was recognized as a 50 year member of the Masonic Lodge of Iowa. He was an enthusiastic member of El Kahir Shrine, and participated in the Jolly Jokers Clown unit at Cedar Rapids and later helped found the Kopper Klowns unit in Bremer County.

He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Waverly, and was currently a member at the United Methodist Church at Pella, Iowa. Upon retirement, E.P. and Donna loved to travel, and they pulled their Fan travel trailer with E.P.'s Chevy Suburban all over the United States, often spending winters in Texas and visiting their daughter Cherri while there. They always enjoyed camping with his children and grandchildren in the areas around Iowa. E.P. and Donna particularly enjoyed a trip to Alaska with his brother and sister - in- law, Calvin and Lolita Rinderknecht. After the death of his beloved wife, he still wanted to travel, listing the places he wanted to see: the Glory of Easter at the?Chrystal Cathedral; the Grand Canyon; Pearl Harbor; the Statue of Liberty; and most of all, the Panama Canal. E.P. enjoyed traveling with his daughter Kathi and was able to see and experience all of these wishes.

E.P. loved being a clown, and loved to tell how he won a clown university award for sewing a balloon with a sharp 12" needle. Another activity he enjoyed was Polkas. Every Saturday evening, he would be sure to watch "The Big Joe Polka Show," and was very happy that the hospital had RFD TV. To his delight, he was able to go to the filming of this show and met Big Joe. He and Kathi have been seen on the TV doing a "wheel-chair" polka.

E.P. is survived by his three children: Kathleen Willey of Pella, Iowa; Cheryl Fuentes-Wagner of Sugar Land, Texas; and James & Becky Willey of Delhi, Iowa; his six grandchildren: Joe Fuentes; Chris & Andrea Willey; Jackee & Shane Austerman; Ana & Matt Mata; Tyler Willey; and Katie Wagner; three great-grandchildren: Isabella and Wyatt Willey; and Houston Mata; as well as many extended family and friends.

E.P. is preceded in death by his parents and wife.

PELLA VISITATION

Beginning at Noon, August 5, 2009
United Methodist Church

PELLA FUNERAL SERVICES

Funeral at 7:00 P.M., Wednesday August 5, 2009
United Methodist Church

WAVERLY VISITATION

Beginning at 4:00 P.M., Thursday, August 6, 2009
Kaiser-Corson Funeral Home

WAVERLY MEMORIAL & MASONIC SERVICES

7:00 P.M., Thursday, August 6, 2009
Kaiser-Corson Funeral Home

MEMORIALS

United Methodist Church of Pella
United Methodist Church of Waverly

FAMILY

Children: Kathi (Kati) Willey - Pella, Iowa
Cheryl Fuentes Wagner - Sugar Land, Texas
Jim & Becky Willey - Delhi, Iowa

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