White Funeral Home
400 First Street West
Independence, Iowa 50644

Independence – John A. Terry, 76 years old of Independence, IA, died Monday, April 9, 2012, at the Vinton Lutheran Home, Vinton, IA.  He was born June 29, 1935, at Madison, South Dakota, the son of Wilbert “Bill” Lee Terry and Edna Lucille (Parrish) Terry. At the age of seven he moved with his parents to Independence where he graduated from high school in 1954.  After serving in the US Army from 1954 – 1956, John returned home and was united in marriage to Mary Lou Wathen on June 28, 1959 in Independence, IA.  She preceded him in death on October 29, 1978.  He was later united in marriage to Shirley Ann Walton Wilson, November 10, 1983 in Waterloo, IA.  John began in the oil business working for his father and uncle in the mid 1950’s and became part owner of Bill & Don’s Phillips 66 service station in 1973.  He retired from their bulk plant service division in 1996.  In retirement John worked for United Ag Products in Winthrop, IA, from April 1997 - May 2005.  He was a member of the First Baptist Church, Sheehan-Tidball American Legion Post #30, Masonic Lodge #87 A.F. and A.M. all in Independence.  He had also served on the Independence Volunteer Fire Department from January 10, 1984 – June 10, 1997.  John enjoyed gardening and growing tomatoes, fishing, hunting and boating.

Mr. Terry is survived by his wife, Shirley Terry of Independence, IA; one son, Michael Terry of Hazleton, IA; one daughter, Michelle (Michael) Kehrli of Mt. Auburn, IA; three grandchildren, Jason Terry, Mindy VanRee, Matt Kehrli; two great grandchildren, Blake Terry and Owen VanRee; two step daughters, Valerie Wilson of Houston, TX, Laurie Wilson of Omaha, NE; one step son, Scott Wilson of Houston, TX; two step grandchildren, Lindsay Beatty and Zachary Wilson;  three step great grandchildren, Madelynn Beatty, Koby Beatty, Kolton Beatty; also two sisters, Jo Ann (Otto “Juinor”) Eschen of Independence, IA, Mary (Vernon) Frasher of Robins, IA, one brother, Donald (Mary) Terry of Waterloo, IA.  In addition to his first wife he was preceded in death by his parents, and one step son, Jeff Wilson.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. – Friday, April 13, 2012, at the First Baptist Church, Independence, IA, with Dr. David Larson officiating.  Music will be by Mary Kay Miller, organist and Robin Grover, soloist. Burial will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Independence, IA.  

Visitation will be 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Thursday, April 12, 2012, at White Funeral Home, Independence, IA, where there will be a Masonic Memorial Service at 7:00 p.m. and a Military Memorial Service at 8:00 p.m. Thursday.  Visitation will continue for an hour before services Friday at the church.  

Memorials will be directed to Hospice Compassus, 610 32nd Ave SW, Suite F, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404, and to the Alzheimer’s Association East Central Iowa Chapter, 1642 42nd Street NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402.