John Delbert "Jack" Telfer

MARION: John Delbert "Jack" Telfer, age 83, of Marion, entered into rest June 1, 2010.
He was born in Juniata County, Pennsylvania as the eldest son of James and Ruth (Hart) Telfer on December 21, 1926. Upon graduation from Juniata Joint High School in Mifflintown, Pennsylvania he entered the United States Army and the Pennsylvania Military Academy in Chester, Pennsylvania near Philadelphia. After serving in the military ar a recoil-less weaponry soldier he returned to civilian life and took an interim position as a secondary teacher at Thompsontown High School in Thompsontown, Pennsylvania while awaiting admission to the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. There he met the former Virginia N. Kilgore, a fellow teacher and they were married on July 31, 1948. Upon completion of two degrees at the University of Michigan in Architecture and City Planning he served at several universities as Vice President for Facilities Planning. His professional career included the University of Michigan, Columbia University, University of Buffalo, University of Tampa, Queens College and also as an engineering professor at the Abadan Institute of Technology in Abadan, Iran. He was bestowed with an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Of his many contributions to higher learning he was extremely proud of co-founding SCUP, the Society for College and University Planners, which has become an international organization with more than 6000 members worldwide.
A devoted family man, he fathered twin sons, Carleton K. Telfer and his wife of Marion and Carlyle H. Telfer of Pittsburg, Kansas who, along with their wives have served in education and working with youth. John and Virginia counted the students of Iran as their special family of sons who are well educated and have contributed to the quality of life in Iran as well as their adopted country, the United States of America. His hobby and interest in the manufacture of glass led him to write several articles regarding red slag glass and his extensive collection was donated to the West Virginia Glass Museum in Weston, West Virginia. He was a member of Epworth United Methodist Church and served on a number of committies as well as being a consultant to numerous church and building programs. During his retirement he served as Director of the Palace Theatre, was the first Director of Heritage Hall and served as Manager of the Marion County Parks District. His ancestors came from Glasgow, Scotland and settled in Juniata County, Pennsylvania near the Susquehanna River and he was truly proud of his Scottish heritage.
Jack was preceded in death by one brother and one sister.
Surviving are his wife; Virginia; his two sons and daughters-in-law; a brother, James Earl Telfer of Juniata County, Pennsylvania; and of special importance, his two grandchildren, Jonathan E. Telfer and Kayla L. Telfer.
Funeral services for Jack will be Friday at 11:00 a.m. at Epworth United Methodist Church with Revs. Colleen Ogle, Daniel Kiger and Gus Christo-Baker officiating. Burial will follow in the Marion Cemetery where military honors will be observed by the Marion County Joint Veteran's Council. Friends may call from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Jack's memory may be made to Epworth United Methodist Church or the United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio.
Funeral arrangements are being handled for his family by the Hughes-Allen Funeral Home and expressions of sympathy may be sent directly to his family by logging onto www.hughesallen.com and opening his obituary.