Obituaries

March 2, 1936 to March 24, 2017

RENSSELAER - Willie “Mitch” Mitchell Parish, Sr., 81, of Francesville, passed away at his home Friday morning, March 24, surrounded by his family.

He was born in Tompkinsville, Ky. on March 2, 1936. He was the son of the late Eddie H. and Thelma J. Strode Parish. He graduated from Medaryville High School and had been a resident of Francesville for over 50 years. On Aug. 25, 1962, in Medaryville, he married D. Jean Neely. They were married for 54 years and had recently renewed their wedding vows on Feb. 2. He was also baptized the same day at 80 years of age.

He is survived by his wife Jean Parish; three daughters: Jennifer (Mike) Tetzloff, Christina (Steve) Shorter, and Marilyn (Jonn) Bernal; one son, Willie M. (Nonie) Parish, Jr.; 11 grandchildren: Katie (Isaac), Joey, and Rachel Tetzloff; Trent and Tiffani Shorter; Sara and Jonn Bernal; Kayla Jean (Tyler) Fox, Morgan, Christopher, and Jared Parish; three great-grandchildren: Wyatt and Hudson Fox; and Emmett Tetzloff; two brothers: Herman (Janet) Parish and Alvin (Rana) Parish; three sisters: Wilma Miller, Olene Dahler, and Nancy (Jim) Aldridge; one sister-in-law: Elaine Parish; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by one brother, Lawrence “Sam” Parish; and one brother-in-law, John Dahler.

After high school, Mr. Parish enlisted in the U.S. Army and served for two years while stationed at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas. He was a manager for the Farm Bureau Co-op. He retired from the Indiana State Highway Dept. He was a reserve deputy for the Pulaski County Sheriff’s office, a volunteer EMT, and an active fireman for 49 years. He was past president of the Indiana Volunteer Firefighter’s Association from 1992-1994, and was an active member of the National Volunteer Fire Council. He was a 50-year member of both the Masonic Lodge and the Scottish Rite, and was a former Shriner. He attended the United Methodist Church. He enjoyed bowling, golfing, playing horseshoes and games, and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. (ET), Sunday, March 26, at Steinke Funeral Home, Rensselaer. A Masonic service will be 6:30 p.m. (ET); and an Indiana Volunteer Firefighter Memorial Service will be at 7 p.m. (ET), all in the funeral home chapel. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. (ET), Monday, March 27, at the funeral home with Rev. Joe Spear officiating. Interment with full military honors will follow at McKinley Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, the Alzheimer’s Association, or the Indiana Volunteer Firefighters Association. For memorials to the IVFA, make checks payable to: "Bridgeport Scholarship Fund".

Share memories and condolences online at www.SteinkeFuneralHome.com.