Dennis E. Showalter

Dennis E. Showalter, 83, of Iowa City, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 28, 2015. A Memorial Service will be held at 1pm on Saturday, November 7 at the Rose Hill Friends Church in Rose Hill, KS. Burial with military honors will follow at the Dunlap Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Heifer International or to The Alzheimer"s Association, in care of Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service, 605 Kirkwood Avenue, Iowa City, IA 52240 or to Timmons Funeral Home, PO Box 168, Fredonia, KS 66736. Dennis was born on November 5, 1931 in Rose Hill, KS, the son of Floyd and Waldena (Cox) Showalter. He grew up on the family farm in Rose Hill and graduated from Rose Hill High School. On August 3, 1952, Dennis married Phyllis McElhiney in Rose Hill. Dennis proudly served in The United States Air Force, achieving the rank of 1st Lieutenant while serving in Japan and continued his service in the military in the reserves. Dennis graduated from Kansas State University with a BA degree, and later earned his MA degree from The University of Iowa. He served as the Parks Superintendant in Topeka, KS for 13 years, the Parks and Recreation Director in Iowa City, IA for 10yrs, and retired in 1994 as the Public Works Director in Bettendorf, IA. Dennis was a longtime member of the Optimist Club in both Topeka, KS and Iowa City, IA. He and Phyllis were also members of St. Mark"s United Methodist Church in Iowa City. He was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan, and loved to travel (visiting over 80 countries). Most of all, he loved his family and Phyllis, his wife of 63 years. Dennis was a great inspiration, teacher and friend. Survivors include his wife Phyllis of West Branch, IA, their five children: Jeanine (Doug) Wells of Topeka, KS, Greg Showalter of Belle Plaine, KS, Eric (Sharlene) Showalter of Topeka, KS, Bart (Deb) Showalter of Shueyville, IA, and Anne (Don) Hartman of Cedar Rapids, IA; two sisters: DonnaBelle (Voyle) Chance of Fowler, KS and Dorothy (Jack) Wilks of Rose Hill, KS; 12 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Dayle Showalter, a sister Doris Fasano, a sister-in-law Phyllis Showalter, brothers-in-law Parkie Fasano and Dean Baker, and a daughter-in-law Shannon Showalter. Online condolences may be left for the family at either www.lensingfuneral.com or to www.timmonsfuneralhome.com Timmons Funeral Home, PO Box 168, Fredonia, KS, 66736, is in charge of the local arrangements.