W. Ralph Parker, 82, of Kearney and formerly of Farnam died Wednesday at a Kearney nursing home. He was born Oct. 3, 1905, in Farnam to William G. and Cora Belle Caley Parker and was a resident of Farnam until 1978 when he moved to Kearney.

He graduated from Farnam High School, attended the University of Nebraska and graduated from the Lincoln School of Commerce in 1927. He was in partnership with his father in the W. G. Parker and Sons Mercantile Store in Farnam. On June 11, 1932, he married Irene Plischke in Grand Island and they lived in Farnam until 1936 when they moved to Orafino where they owned and operated the Orafino Post Office and Mercantile for 10 years. In 1949, they returned to Farnam and he was employed by the Farnam Bank until retiring in 1969 as executive vice president. He then owned and operated the Parker Insurance Agency until 1978.

Mr. Parker was a member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Kearney, a 55-year member of the Farnam IOOF Lodge 235 and past member of the state banking association.

Survivors include his wife, Irene of Kearney; three cousins, Gerald Thompson of Farnam, Forrest Ainlay of LaCrescenta, Calif., and Louise Lindvall of North Platte.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday at St. Luke's Episcopal Church with the Rev. Dr. Robert Park officiating. Burial will be in the Kearney Cemetery with graveside IOOF rites.

A memorial has been established to the church, Mother Hull Nursing Home or St. John's Center nursing home.

Visitation will be until 8:30 p.m. tonight and Friday before services.

Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary in Kearney is in charge of arrangements.

Private collection of Mildred Heath, Overton, NE