J.B. Diller Parsons, 91, died Feb. 26, 2006, at Good Samaritan Center, Hutchinson.

He was born Oct. 24, 1914, in Cassody, the son of Phillip H. and Melinda Diller Parsons. He graduated from Cassody High School in 1933. A resident of Hutchinson for the past six years, moving from Cottonwood Falls, he was a farmer and rancher before going to work for the Atchison/Topeka, Santa Fe Railroad as a signal maintainer, retiring Oct. 31, 1979.

He belonged to First United Methodist Church, El Dorado, and the Brotherhood of Railroad Signal Men, Local No. 33. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II.

On July 23, 1946, he marred Etta M. Craig in Fallon, Nev. She died Jan. 9, 2003.

Survivors include: a daughter, Karen Rippert and husband, Richard, Hutchinson; two stepsons, Herbert Spain Jr., Strong City, and John Spain, Arizona; two grandchildren; a great-grandchild; 10 step-grandchildren; eight step-great-grandchildren; and four step-great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a stepdaughter, Lois Bone; and two sisters, Leah Ayers and Roberta Brandley.

Graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Cassody Cemetery, with the Rev. Kim Biery presiding, with military graveside rites conducted by the U.S. Marine Corps. Visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, with the family present from 5 to 7 p.m. at Elliott Mortuary.

Memorials may be sent to the Good Samaritan Center, in care of the funeral home.