Donald D. Ferry

Donald D. Ferry age 89, passed away at his home November 22, 2017.

He was born at home in rural Tennant, Iowa on April 18, 1928 to the late Ray and Ruby (Petersen) Ferry. Don was a member of Irwin Church of Christ. He graduated from Irwin High School in 1946. Throughout high school and his early years of marriage Don worked with his uncle, Virgil Ferry as a carpenter building homes and doing finishing work. He attended and graduated from American Aviation Technical School in Des Moines, Iowa in 1948. Don then worked at the Harlan and Denison airports. Don also enjoyed owning & flying a Pipercub for recreation.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by an infant sister, Brenda Gail Ferry and a brother, Richard Ferry.

Don married the love of his life, Jean (Ridgley) on September 4, 1949. Four children were born to this union. Don & Jean farmed for 11 years before Don started “Irwin Pump and Plumbing”. Later Don retired from Farmer’s Co-op in Irwin.

He built their current family home in 1960. Don enjoyed working in his workshop building furniture and numerous toys for their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Christmas always brought the excitement of what “Dad or Pa-po” had created as gifts from “Santa”. Don was a 50 year member of the Sardius Masonic Lodge 444 and secretary for the lodge for 35 years. He was Co-founder and a 40 year member of Greenridge Steam & Antique Tractor Show where he owned/operated a full scale sawmill. Don was a past two-term Mayor of Irwin and also served many years on the Irwin Fire & Rescue Unit and the town council.

Don is survived by his wife, Jean Ferry; sons, Roderick (Joan) Ferry; Lee (Fely Noel) Ferry; daughters, Becky Rademacker and Susan (Rod) Osland; sisters, Betty Zemanek and Patricia (Pete) Steenhusen, Grandchildren, John (Heidi) Baratta, Jr., Jeremy (Nicole) Baratta, Travis (Jess) Holloway, Gina (Will) Rose, Adam (Hillary) Ferry, Heather (Heath) Richards, Jason (Tonya) Osland, Jarrod (Nicole) Osland, Jessica (Aaron) Nepper, Melissa (Andrew) Mulkey, Shaun Ferry, Drew (Amy) Rademacker and Tess Rademacker (Joey Herbers); 39 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren. A host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Visitation is 5:00p.m. to 7:00p.m. on Monday at the Hoy-Kilnoski Funeral Home. Funeral service is 2:00p.m. on Tuesday at the Church of Christ with a 1 hour visitation prior to the service in Irwin, Iowa. Interment is in the Oak Hill Cemetery.

The family will direct memorials.