John E. Dryden Sr.

Ottawa – Services for John E. Dryden Sr., 76, Ottawa, will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Dengel & Son Mortuary in Ottawa.Mr. Dryden died Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007, at Ransom Memorial Hospital in Ottawa.He was born Jan. 26, 1931, in Thayer, the son of Harold and Blanche Dryden. He graduated from Fredonia High School in 1948.He was a lithographic plate printer in Fredonia from 1948 to 1951. He moved to Ottawa in 1956, and began working at Moore Chevrolet that same year. In 1976, he began working at Ned Hiatt’s Country Sales in Lake Pomona. He retired in 1991. He continued to work part time at various dealerships including Crist Auto and RV Sales.Mr. Dryden served in the Army National Guard from 1950 to 1952 and earned the rank of master sergeant.He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Ottawa, and a former member of Warren Black Post 60, American Legion, Ottawa Lodge 803, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Aerie Lodge 2700 and Fraternal Order of Eagles.He married Darlene Woodruffe on Oct. 29, 1959, in Independence, Kan. She survives, of the home.Other survivors include four daughters, Brenda Jackson and husband Terry, Ottawa, Teresa Jewett and husband Scott, Derby, Rhonda Thomas and husband Don, Crawfordsville, Iowa, Annette Bentley and husband Larry, Topeka; two sons, Steve and wife Karen, Ottawa, John Jr. and wife Cheryl, Ottawa; a sister, Norma Jean Uitts and husband Kenneth, Independence, Kan., 20 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by his parents; two infant sons, Carl Wayne and Michael Leroy; a grandson Michael; and two great-granddaughters, Sadye Circle and Jessica Guyett.Friends may call after 9 a.m. Monday at the mortuary, where the family will meet receive them from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday.The family suggests memorials to John Dryden Sr. Memorial Fund, sent in care of the mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa 66067.E-mail condolences may be sent to dengelmortuary@sbcglobal.net.