John P. Cilley III

John P. Cilley III NEWTON - John "Harper" Plumer Cilley III, 91, of Newton, passed away Friday, May 23, 2014, at Catawba Regional Hospice in Newton. Born April 20, 1923, he was the son of the late John Harper Plumer Cilley, Jr. and Kate Warlick Cilley. In addition to his wife of nearly 60 years, Mary Jenkins Cilley, of the home; a son John Harper Plumer Cilley IV and wife Constance, of Hickory; two grandchildren, John Harper Plumer Cilley V and Emma Marie Cilley, of the home; and a step-grand-daughter, Chloe Ennis, of Newton, survive him. A celebration of Harper's life will be 3 p.m. Thursday May 29, 2014, at First United Methodist Church in Newton. The family will receive friends immediately following the service at the church. A private graveside service will be in Eastview Cemetery prior to the ceremony at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 926, Newton, NC 28658 or to Catawba Regional Hospice, 3975 Robinson Road, Newton, NC 28658. Please sign the online guestbook at www.JenkinsFuneralHome.net. The Cilley family has entrusted arrangements to Jenkins Funeral Home in Newton, 828-464-1555.