Woody Drury 1928-2025

Woodward “Woody” Drury, 97, of Hiawatha, died Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at the Sabetha Manor.

Woody was born March 3, 1928, in Rosedale, to William and Ora Ratcliff Drury.

He served in the United States Navy during World War II and the Korean War. During his time in the Navy he was a machinist’s mate stationed in the Pacific. He was honorably discharged March 18, 1953.

He married Ruth Foster on Sept. 21, 1952, in Kansas City. They lived in the Shawnee/Merriam area prior to moving on Feb. 3, 1970, to Hiawatha, where they lived, worked and raised their family. He enjoyed hunting and raising his bird dogs in his spare time. Woody managed Meyer Lumber Company for years prior to working for the City of Hiawatha as their superintendent. He retired after 18 years with the city.

He was preceded by his wife, Ruth, on Nov. 15, 2017. Also preceding him was a daughter, Stephanie, and all his siblings.

Survivors include five sons: Robert “Pete” Drury (Lois) of McLouth, Gerald Drury of Holton, Ed Scott of Hiawatha, Steve Drury (Sherilyn) of Gladstone, Mo., and Zoe Drury of Topeka; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13 at the Eternal Hope Worship Center with Pastor Richard Lehmkuhl officiating. Family visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday. Interment with military honors provided by the Brown County Honor Guard will follow at the Hiawatha Cemetery. Friends may call the Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Hiawatha from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday.

Memorials are suggested to the American Diabetes Association and may be sent in care of Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, 124 S. Seventh St., Hiawatha, KS 66434.

Condolences may be made at chapeloaksfuneralhome.com

(PAID OBITUARY)