MEMORIAL PARK

OBITUARIES
2004
 

To post a death announcement, send a newspaper clipping complete with the newspaper's name, page number and date to ParmeleeFamily@gmail.com. Feel free to add other information, but beware that items will be edited for space. Only people whose surname is one of the Parmelee spellings or their spouses will be posted. Pictures are accepted.

The oldest family members for whom I have obituaries:



BARBARA J. (---) PARMELEE
1936-2004

Barbara, a resident of Sturgis, St. Joseph County, Mich., died March 23, 2004, at her home. She was born Dec. 17, 1936. She is survived by her husband [unplaced].


CHRYSTAL (VEAL) PARMLEY 1924-2004

Chrystal, wife of Robert E. Parmley [unplaced] died Sept. 22, 2004, at Johnston Memorial Hospital in Abingdon, Washington County, Va. In addition to her husband, she is survived by sons David and Robert, both of Abingdon; brother Beverly Veal of Portsmouth, Va.; and various nieces and nephews. Sons Don and Terry preceded her in death. The funeral service was at Bethel Presbyterian Church with Rev. Cathy Carpenter officiating and burial followed at the church cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to the Mountain Mission School, 1 Hurley St., Grundy, VA 24614.


DOROTHY JANE (OLDS) PALMERLEE
1915-2004

Dorothy, widow of George Frederick Palmerlee [Louis Milan, Heman Mack, Heman, Heman, Amos, Amos, David, Joshua, John, John], died May 29, 2004. She was born Aug. 4, 1915. Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband in 1981 and is survived by daughters Georgia Ann Corwin of Kentwood, Kent County, Mich., and Marilyn Pratt of Grand Rapids, Kent County, Mich.; sons Louis of Kentwood and Daniel of Newaygo, Newaygo County, Mich.; eight grandchildren; and three great grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Michigan or American Cancer Society.


EARL C. CAIN
1911-2004

Earl, a retired coal miner and husband of the late Helen Marie Parmley [Raymond D., Walter "William," John, Giles, Giles, Hiel, Nathaniel, Nathaniel, John, John], died July 6, 2004, at the Shawnee Christian Nursing Center in Herrin, Williamson County, Ill. He was born Nov. 15, 1911, in Herrin to Jesse and Bertha (O'Neal) Cain. Earl and Helen were married briefly; she died five days after the birth of their son, Robert "Jack" Earl Cain, in 1932. He and Earline G. Humphrey were married Aug. 10, 1976, in Mt. Vernon, Jefferson County, Ill. Earl was a member of the UMWA Local 9111 and last worked at Zeigler No. 11 Mine in Sparta, Randolph County, Ill. He was a World War II Army veteran and a 50-year member of Zeigler Masonic Lodge 1048. In addition to his widow and his son, both of Herrin, he is survived by sister-in-law Stella Walker and brother-in-law Guy Humphrey, both of Royalton, Franklin County, Ill. Masonic and military graveside services were conducted at Miners Cemetery east of Royalton. Vantrease Funeral Home of Royalton was in charge of the arrangements.


ELIZABETH MALLORY PARMELEE 1905-2004

Elizabeth [Charles William, Charles Daniel, Hezekiah, Dan, Dan, Hezekiah, Joel, John, John], a longtime educator and resident of Providence, Providence County, R.I., died Jan. 24, 2004. She was born Oct. 14, 1905, at Providence, the daughter of Charles William and Ella Woodward (Plumb) Parmelee. She was graduated from Wheaton College in 1927 and became one of the first three women to earn a master's degree of education at Harvard. Pulitzer Prize-winning author David McCullough paid tribute to Elizabeth in his 2003 commencement speech at Wheaton College in Norton, Mass.


FRANCES 'BETTY' ELIZABETH (QUINBY) PARMELEE 1910-2004

Betty, the widow of Edward Lincoln Parmelee [Edward Lincoln, Joel Cruttenden, Joel, John, John, John, John, John, John], died July 29, 2004, at her residence in Falmouth, Cumberland County, Maine, one day following her 94th birthday. She was born in East Orange, Essex County, N.J., on July 28, 1910, the daughter of Frank and Frances E. Hinkley Quinby. Betty attended Abbot Academy in Andover, Essex County, Mass., and the Weylister Secretarial School in Connecticut. She had worked several years as a secretary for the Department of Health in Milford, New Haven County, Conn., and also as a medical secretary in Milford. She enjoyed baking, needlepoint, music and dancing. She was a member of the Church of Christ Congregational in Milford, and was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Betty donated to such charities as the Preble Resource Center, Bruce Roberts Fund and the Falmouth library. Edward died in 2002. She is survived by daughter Patricia Knittel of South Portland, Cumberland County, Maine; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. There was a memorial service at the Falmouth House at Ocean View in Falmouth. Donations may be made to the Falmouth House Residential Memorial Fund, 32 Blueberry Lane, Falmouth, ME 04105. Arrangements were handled by Independent Death Care of Portland, Cumberland County, Maine.


GEORGE B. PARMELEE
1920-2004

George [unplaced], of Ijamsville, Frederick County, Md., died July 23, 2004. He was born Jan. 11, 1920. His wife Helen E., preceded him in death in 1998. He is survived by daughter Elizabeth Stavely, son William, six grandchildren, one great-grandchild and sister Clara Beth Peterson. Services were at the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Damascus, Montgomery County, Md. Interment was at Parklawn Memorial Park and Menorah Gardens, Rockville, Montgomery County, Md. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Assn., 108 Byte Drive, Suite 103, Frederick, MD 21702. The Olin L. Molesworth Funeral Home in Damascus was in charge of arrangements.


HOWARD FRANCIS PARMELEE 1934-2004

Howard [Howard Francis, Charles C., Charles N., William, Noah, Eliphuz, Joel, Joel, John, John], a lifelong resident of Middletown, Middlesex County, Conn., died Sept. 13, 2004, at Middlesex Hospital in Middletown. Prior to his retirement, he was employed at Connecticut Valley Hospital in Middletown. He was born Jan. 1, 1934, the son of Howard and Ethel M. (Linderme) Parmelee. Howard was a veteran of the Korean War, an airman in the Air Force; he belonged to the VFW and the Eagles Club. He is survived by sister Rita Violissi of Portland, Middlesex County, Conn.; and several nieces and nephews. A sister, Shirley Murray, died previously. Burial was at the State Veterans Cemetery, Middletown. Memorial donations may be made to Middlesex Hospital Weiss Hospice Unit, c/o Department of Philanthropy, 55 Crescent St., Middletown, CT 06457. Biega Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.


ISAAC PARMLEY
1909-2004

Isaac [unplaced], of Conway, Horry County, S.C., died Sunday, July 11, 2004, at home following an illness. He was born Sept. 11, 1909. Surviving are sons Isaiah, Odell L., Paul "Woody" L. and Oliver, daughters Lou Belle Ford, Verna Lee Dozier, Jeanette Parmley and Hattie Wilks, 43 grandchildren, 48 great-grandchildren and 20 great-great-grandchildren. Services were at the Bethlehem Baptist Church. Burial was at Sandridge Community Cemetery, Berkeley County, S.C. Latimer's Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements


ISAAC PARMLEY 1933-2004

Isaac [John, Asbury, --?--], a retired logistics manager at Cherry Point NADEP, died Jan. 22, 2004, in Carteret, Carteret County, N.C., General Hospital. He was born June 3, 1933, to John and Etta (James) Parmley. Isaac was a member of Mount Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and minister of music, assisting in the New Bern Eastern Missionary Baptist Assn. and at other area churches. He is survived by his widow, Serena; sons Frederick A. of Raleigh, Wake County, N.C., and Larry D. of Newport, Carteret County, N.C.; daughters Cherry Ross of Chicago, Cook County, Ill., Terry Moore of Morehead City, Carteret County, N.C., and Cynthia Davis of Newport; brothers William, Richard and Thomas, all of Newport, James of New Bern, Craven County, N.C., John of Oriental, Pamlico County, N.C., George of Philadelphia, Pa., and Dale Bell and Michael Bell of Washington, D.C.; sisters Helen Harrison, N.C., and Doris Akins of Jacksonville, Onslow County, N.C.; eight grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by sister Ethel J. Moore. Burial was at Newport Community Cemetery in Newport, Carteret County, N.C. Oscar's Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.


JESSICA MARIE PARMELEE
1966-2004

Jessica, wife of Thomas Nicholas Parmelee [unplaced], died April 5, 2004, at Loris Community Hospital at Loris, Horry County, S.C. Arrangements will be announced by Hardwick Funeral Home of Loris. She was born Nov. 10, 1966. She is also survived by daughter Kaila and son Thomas.


JESSIE 'J. KELLY' (KELLY) PARMELEE
1913-2004

Kelly, wife of Kenneth Abner Parmelee [Abner Augustus, Rufus Electus, Rufus Clark, Ebenezer, Oliver, Jonathan, Joshua, John, John], died Sept. 4, 2004. She was born Sept. 23, 1913, in a hardscrabble town in West Texas. When her father deserted the family, she dropped out of the University of Texas and her mother, Beulah, packed up her and sister Josephine and headed north. They traveled to Hammond, Lake County, Ind., where Beulah gave music lessons and Jessie, who'd become J. Kelly by then, got a job as a clerk in the E.J. Minas Department Store. Several times, she recalled, five or six black limos would pull up and a lot of scary men in black coats and fedoras would come in the store followed a minute later by The Man himself, "Scar Face," Al Capone. The lucky clerk who waited on Mr. Capone received a $100 bill. Kelly got the $100 bill once; it was more than three months' salary in those Depression years. Kelly moved to Gary, Lake County, Ind., when she was about 26 and went to work for the local Democratic Party. They put her in the Speakers Bureau. It was the 1939 mayoral election. One night as headquarters was closing, the Gary Democratic chairman, a man in his 40s, said, "Kelly, would you like to get something to eat?" She said NO! and went home. She called her best friend, Marion Yeager, to tell her about it. "Marion, the nerve of him. He's married and he asked me out!" Marion replied: "Kelly, you better reconsider … you just got asked out by Gary's most eligible bachelor." The next night she said yes and that Christmas Eve she became Mrs. Kenneth A. Parmelee. The following year on Christmas Day, son Kenneth was born. Kelly was an Irish raconteur. She loved these stories and many more. On her last stay with son Ken in Washington, she wanted to see the cherry blossoms one last time, so they spent hours driving around through them. "They are magical, like pink clouds," she said. Kelly is survived by sons Kenneth of Santa Fe, Santa Fe County, N.M., and Michael, with whom she lived at Franklin Lakes, Bergen County, N.J. She was preceded in death by husband Kenneth in 1962.


JOHN M. 'JACK' PARMELEE 1915-2004

Longtime Phelps, N.Y., town historian John M. “Jack” Parmelee [John Barnes, George Herbert, Anson Hall, Asaph, Asaph, Jonathan, Joshua, John, John] died Nov. 20, 2004, at Geneva Living Center South. He was born in Phelps, Ontario County, N.Y., on Feb. 16, 1915, to John and Carrie (Van Nostrand) Parmelee and married Phelps native Mildred Louise Fairman on July 7, 1939. Jack graduated from Phelps Union and Classical School in 1932 and from Syracuse University in 1937.In 1951, the Parmelees moved to Liverpool, Onondaga County, N.Y., where he worked as a purchasing manager for General Electric — a job that took them to Daytona Beach, Volusia County, Fla., in 1963, in support of the Apollo space program. The Parmelees moved back to Phelps in 1979 and began their affiliation with the Phelps Community Historical Society. Jack served as its president from 1984-85, when he became town historian. He retired in 1999 for medical reasons. As town historian, he helped create the village’s historic district, played an integral part in the creation of the society’s museum in 1999 and oversaw the town’s bicentennial celebration in 1989. Wanting a new history of the town for the occasion, he tried to enlist someone else to write it, but the project fell back to him. “200 Years of the Town of Phelps” was the first of 34 books, booklets and papers he wrote on Phelps history, quite prolific for a reluctant author who liked to joke that he flunked English in high school. One of Jack’s largest projects was compiling records of the town’s 26 cemeteries — 19 of which were inactive, abandoned or hard to locate — and 12 more holding Phelps residents in surrounding townships. For two years, he reviewed the few available records and walked through cemeteries, recording the information from each remaining stone. Some cemeteries were so overgrown that Jack crawled along the ground to find the stones. Jack was also involved with the Chamber of Commerce, Garoga-Sincerity Lodge 200 F&AM, and at the United Church of Phelps, where he was a former elder and served as financial secretary for many years. He is survived by his wife, Mildred; son John S. of Centre Hall, Centre County, Pa.; daughters Virginia T. Parmelee of Liverpool and Kathryn Leitch of Johnstown, Fulton County, N.Y.; grandchildren Lisa, Deborah and Mark Parmelee and Carrie, Nicole and Jonathan Leitch; three great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.


KENNETH ARNOLD PARMELEE 1923-2004

Kenneth [Berkley Melvin, Abner Augustus, Rufus Electus, Rufus Clark, Ebenezer, Oliver, Jonathan, Joshua, John, John], a retired Navy captain of Boca Raton, Palm Beach County, Fla., died Oct. 30, 2004. He was born July 11, 1923, at Hartford, Hartford County, Conn., the son of Berkley Melvin and Grace D. (Moore) Parmelee. Among his survivors are widow Charity Ann (Angle) Parmelee; and sons David, Kenneth, and Berkley.


LILLIAN ELINOR (JOHNSON) BELYEA PARMLEY
1914-2004

Lillian, wife of John Parmley [unplaced] and a full-time homemaker and community volunteer, died Aug. 5, 2004, in Carmichael, Sacramento County, Calif., following a short illness. She was born Feb. 13, 1914, in Turlock, Stanislaus County, Calif., and attended Auburn schools, graduating from Placer High in 1932. Lillian will be remembered for her work with the Senior Gleaners, the Federated Womens Club and the Wednesday Club, where she initiated a program for teenage mothers, providing their newborns with clothing and bedding. St. Marks Methodist Church, where Lillian worked for many years as chairwoman of the wedding reception committee, formed the Super Senior program, and was the founder, director and commentator for many years of the Fashion Memories fashion shows of antique clothing. In 1995, Mission Oaks Recreation and Parks District honored her as a Distinguished Citizen for her work with the Senior Citizen Community Center. She was also selected by Soroptimist International of Sacramento San Juan as the recipient of the 1984 Women Helping Women Award. Her work with the Sacramento Community Commission for Women resulted in co-authorship of a book on nutrition for seniors, "Eating Alone." During her tenure on the Sacramento Community Services Planning Council, Executive Committee of the Division of Aging, the local hospice movement was born. Lillian was active with Hospice Care of Sacramento, serving as a speaker and on the Board of Directors. During the years that the family lived in Lincoln, Placer County, Calif., the Camp Fire Girls honored Lillian for her work as a leader and district level volunteer with the Gulick Award, the organization's highest award for adults. Lillian was also president of the Lincoln Women's Club, and started a Junior Womens Club. Lillian was active in several folk dance groups in the Sacramento area. In addition to traveling, the joy of her life was her painting. Lillian had Senior Artist standing with Northern California Artists Inc. In addition to her husband of 23 years, she leaves daughters Ann Jerue of Sacramento, Sacramento County, Calif., and Ellen Osborn of Pollock Pines, El Dorado County, Calif., and three grandchildren. Also surviving are brothers Fred Miles of Marysville, Yuba County, Calif., and Richard Miles of Carmichael; and sister Dodie Schurter of Huntington Beach, Orange County, Calif. Her first husband, Melvin Belyea, preceded her in death. Remembrances in Lillian's name may be made to the hospice program of the donor's choice.


LUCILE MARIE (ABELL) PARMERLEE
1910-2004

Lucile, widow of Hovey F. Parmerlee [Andrew Marcus, Amos, Marcus Hurlbert, Marcus Beecher, Noah, Noah, Stephen, John, John], died March 19, 2004, in Morrison, Jefferson County, Colo. Most recently she'd made her home in Littleton, Arapahoe County, Colo. Lucile was born Aug. 26, 1910, the daughter of Dytes H. and Joy Pearl (Brown) Abell, in Seymour, Jackson County, Ind. She was a graduate of Seymour High School and a member of the 1st Presbyterian Church and Tri Kappa sorority, both in Edinburgh, Johnson County, Ind. She had been executive secretary for Ralph Kail of Edinburgh Grain Elevator, co-owner of Parmerlee Rental Service and associated with the Peace Corps. Lucile and Hovey were married in 1935; he died in 1957. Survivors include son David of Seabrook, Prince George's County, Md.; daughter Rosemary Wolfe of Littleton; sister Waneta Franklin of Elkhart, Elkhart County, Ind.; six grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Burial was at Edinburgh's Rest Haven Cemetery.


MARGARET 'PEG' (VINCENT) PARMELEE
1910-2004

Margaret, widow of Roy A. Parmelee Sr. [Percy Albert, Charles A., Parin "Payne," Elihu, Elihu, Nathaniel, Nathaniel, Nathaniel, John, John], died Dec. 27, 2004, at her daughter's home in Fairfield, Fairfield County, Conn. She was born May 28, 1910, the daughter of Charles H. and Elizabeth (Cusick) Vincent, and was a lifelong resident of Simsbury, Hartford County, Conn. She was a supervisor at the State Department of Motor Vehicles for several years, worked in the Simsbury Tax Assessor's Office, and was employed by the Simsbury School System prior to her retirement. She was a member of Simsbury's St. Mary's Church, enjoyed basketball, was a Red Sox fan, and loved to read. She is survived by sons Roy Jr. in Montana, and Bruce of Simsbury; daughter Kathleen P. Reddy of Fairfield; brother Henry T. Vincent of Canton, Hartford County, Conn.; sister Anna Janeski of Granby, Hartford County, Conn.; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two brothers and three sisters. Burial was in Simsbury Cemetery. Vincent Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Memorial donations may be made to St. Mary's Church, P.O. Box 575, Simsbury, CT 06070 or Simsbury Public Library, 725 Hopmeadow St., Simsbury, CT 06070.


MAURICE BLAIR PARMELEE 1920-2004

Maurice [Willis Isaac, Frederick M., Horace, Joel, Joel, Joel, John, John], a World War II Navy veteran, died July 14, 2004, at Cook Willow Convalescent Hospital in Plymouth, Litchfield County, Conn. He was born March 13, 1920, in Middletown, Middlesex County, Conn., son of Willis Isaac and Esther Elliot (Clark) Parmelee. In World War II, Maurice was stationed in Connecticut, New York, and Rhode Island, with the 137th and 139th Construction battalions and the 3rd USNCB (Special) PSC of Lido Beach, Long Island, where he served until his discharge. He worked at Wallingford Steel Mill from 1942 to 1946, and was a farm manager for Richard Parmelee from 1946 to 1948. He worked at H.H. Stone and Sons in Southbury, New Haven County, Conn., in the shipping and receiving department at West Haven Buckle Co., and as a salesman for Beacon Milling Co. for more than 20 years, until his retirement. He was a member of the 1st Congregational Church of Thomaston, Litchfield County, Conn., and was associated with the American Heart Association. His hobbies included gardening, walking and playing cards. In addition to his widow, the former Alice Mildred Hoblin, he is survived by daughters Gail Fairclough of Morris, Litchfield County, Conn., and Mauriann L. Cella of Wallingford, New Haven County, Conn.; brothers John O. and Burton A., both of Durham, Middlesex County, Conn.; and six grandchildren. Lyons Funeral Home of Thomaston was in charge of arrangements. Contributions may be made to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, P.O. Box 750, New York, N.Y. 10131-0304, or the American Heart Assn., 5 Brookside Drive, Wallingford CT 06492.


MILDRED 'MILLIE' (HOBLIN) PARMELEE
1918-2004

Millie, widow of Maurice Blair [Willis Isaac, Frederick M., Horace, Joel, Joel, Joel, John, John], a resident of Thomaston, Litchfield County, Conn., died Oct. 2, 2004, at Waterbury Hospital in Waterbury, New Haven County, Conn. She was born March 31, 1918.


PAUL GEORGE PARMELEE
1922-2004

Paul [Paul Revere, Hubert "Burt" S., Frederick H., Sylvester, Nathaniel, Elihu, Nathaniel, Nathaniel, Nathaniel, John, John], a retired tool and die maker of East Hartland, Hartford County, Conn., died Sept. 17, 2004, at Simsbury, Hartford County, Conn. Born May 30, 1922, in West Granby, Hartford County, Conn., he was the son of Paul Revere and Olive (Ransom) Parmelee. He moved to East Hartland in 1957. Paul was a master sergeant in the Army Air Corps during World War II and worked at the Johnson Gauge Co. of Bloomfield, Hartford County, Conn. He was a member of the Hartford Gun Club and the 1st Church in Hartland, Congregational. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Frances M. (Curtis); sons Stephen P. and David C., both of East Hartland; daughter Karen Zaverton of Southington, Hartford County, Conn.; and a grandson. Services and burial were at East Hartland Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Granby Ambulance Assoc., P.O. Box 617, Granby, CT 06035. Hayes-Huling & Carmon Funeral Home of Granby was in charge of arrangements.


ROBERT NICHOLS PARMELEE 1918-2004

Robert [Harold Ray, William Josiah, Josiah Pierson, Alfred, Eliab, Eliab, Nathaniel, Nathaniel, Nathaniel, John, John] of Middlefield, Middlesex County, Conn., died March 5, 2004, at Westfield Care and Rehab Center in Meriden, New Haven County, Conn. Born in Chelsea, Mass., he was the son of the Harold Ray and Eleanor (Abrams) Parmelee, and had lived in Middlefield most of his life. Robert graduated from Middletown High School Class of 1936, Springfield (Mass.) College Class of 1940, and received a master's degree from Columbia University. He served in U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II and married Barbara Cummings in June, 1942. He was employed at Kenyon (Ohio) College coaching swimming, football, and track from 1946-51 and at Middletown High School as a physical education teacher and coach of swimming and football from 1956-79. Robert spent many years as a YMCA swimming instructor. He was a former member of the National High School Rules Committee for Swimming, and was recently inducted into the Middletown Sports Hall of Fame. He was an active member of the Middlefield Federated Church. He was an avid golfer and he and his wife loved to travel during their retirement years. Besides his wife, he is survived by sons Craig of Middletown, Russ of Durham, David of Shelburne, Chittenden County, Vt, and Keith of Middletown; a sister, Jean White of Northampton, Hampshire County, Mass.; nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services were at the Doolittle Funeral Home in Middletown on March 9. The Rev. Dale Azevedo officiated and interment was at the convenience of the family. Contributions may be made in his memory to Middlefield Federated Church Building Fund, Main Street, Middlefield, CT 06455.


ROLAND CLAYTON PARMLEY 1926-2004

Roland [Leslie William, Albion True, James Edward, Ezra, James, Jeremiah, Lemuel, Nathaniel, Nathaniel, John, John], a retired businessman, died June 16, 2004, at Stormont-Vail HealthCenter in Topeka, Shawnee County, Kan. He was born March 24, 1926, in Hutchinson, Reno County, Kan., the son of Leslie and Esther Mae (Bailey) Parmley. Roland was graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1944 and immediately entered the Navy, serving in the Pacific Theater until 1946, and was stationed in the Philippines. Roland attended Hutchinson Junior College and was a 1951 graduate of The University of Kansas with a B.S. in business administration. Roland worked for 45 years in the business industry. He retired in 1991 as assistant vice president in the reinsurance department at Security Benefit Group of Cos. after 32 years of service. He served as secretary/treasurer for the Topeka Lions Club for 25 years and was honored with the 1997 Melvin Jones Fellowship Award for outstanding humanitarian service. He was a 33rd-Degree Mason with Acacia Lodge No. 9 AF&AM in Lawrence, Douglas County, Kan. Roland was a founding member of Crestview United Methodist Church and was a district PTA president. He married Mary Alice Rees on June 19, 1949, in Marion, Marion County, Kan.; she survives. Other survivors include daughter Mary Ann Siller of Dallas. He was preceded in death by sister LaVonne-Myree Parmley. Services were at Crestview United Methodist Church; burial was at Marion Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be given to Crestview United Methodist Church, 2245 S.W. Eveningside Drive, Topeka KS 66614, or to the Topeka Lions Foundation, in care of Les Carlson, 70 S.W. Peppertree Lane, Topeka KS 66611.


THELMA SALLEE (PARMLEY) NORFLEET 1914-2004

Thelma [Giles, Giles, Robert, John, Giles, Hiel, Nathaniel, Nathaniel, John, John], the loving wife of Jesse Eugene "Gene" Norfleet Sr. for 68 years, died in her sleep July 8, 2004, at her home in Cleveland, Bradley County, Tenn. She was born Aug. 13, 1914, at Mount Pisgah, Wayne County, Ky., the daughter of Giles and Nancy (Hurt) Parmley and attended school in Monticello, Wayne County, Ky. She also resided in Rockwood, Roane County, Tenn., and Somerset, Pulaski County, Ky. She moved to Cleveland in 1957 when she and her husband opened Norfleet One-Hour Martinizing Cleaners. She remained active in that business until 1998 when they sold the business and retired. Thelma was a member of the First Baptist Church of Cleveland, the Order of the Eastern Star and the Daughters of the American Revolution, her great-great-grandfather John (1762-1848) having been a soldier. She is survived by her husband; son Jesse Eugene "Gene" Norfleet Jr. of Cleveland; by grandchildren Jesse Eugene "Jay" Norfleet III of Maryland; Alexander "Alex" Keith Norfleet of Tennessee and Sarah Elizabeth Norfleet of South Carolina; sister Mary Ethel (Parmley) Eicher of Homestead, Dade County, Fla.; and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters Ora and Effie Parmley, Maye (Parmley) Ryan Carter and Minnie (Parmley) Cross; and brother Denver. Services were at the Jim Rush Funeral Home in Cleveland with the Rev. Steve Gilbert officiating. Burial was at Monticello's Elk Springs Cemetery.


THOMAS CLAY PARMLEY 1925-2004

Thomas [James Alfred, James Clay, William Irvin, Robert, John, Giles, Hiel, Nathaniel, Nathaniel, John, John], a 35-year resident of Sierra Vista, Cochise County, Ariz., died May 1, 2004, at his home after a long illness. He was born March 1, 1925, in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, Calif., to James and Nelvia (Buckner) Parmley. He served in the U.S. Army for 26 years, seeing action in World War II, the Korean and Vietnam wars. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Phyllis; sons Joseph and Howard of Sierra Vista of Sierra Vista, Vernon of Wisconsin, Matthew of Missouri, Benjamin of Phoenix, Maricopa County, Ariz., Grant of Tucson, Pima County, Ariz.; daughters Nelva Melochick and Martha Fenn of Sierra Vista; 18 grandchildren; and 14 great grandchildren. Graveside services with military honors were held at the Southern Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Sierra Vista. Jensen's Sierra Vista Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.


WALLACE 'RAY' PARMELEE 1923-2004

Ray [Roy "Ray" L., Timothy "Leander" Leander, Leander Burton, Timothy Truman, Timothy, Mark, Job, John, John], founder and operator of Parmelee Masonry in Eugene, Lane County, Ore., for 50 years, died Aug. 31, 2004, of congestive heart failure. He was born May 13, 1923, in Ogden, Weber County, Utah, to Ray and Myrtle (Thompson) Parmelee. He attended Utah public schools and moved to Eugene in 1941. He also served in the Marine Corps. Ray enjoyed fishing, hunting, golf, training dogs, art and poetry. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Eagles lodge at Springfield, Lane County, Ore. He held a Masonry Union Gold Card. In addition to his first wife, he was preceded in death by a son, Timothy Sr., and daughter, Sandra. Survivors include his wife, June; stepdaughters Susan Bailey of Marcola, Lane County, Ore., and Sandra Maddess of Springfield; stepson, Leon and Michael Thomason, both of Eugene, and James Greene of Portland, Multnomah; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Services were held at Poole-Larsen Funeral Home Chapel in Eugene. Inurnment was at Rest-Haven Memorial Park in Eugene. Memorial contributions may be made to the Oregon Heart & Vascular Institute at Sacred Heart Medical Center in Eugene.


WILLIAM 'BOOTIE' HOYT PARMELEE 1923-2004

Bootie [Luther Jacob, Zeno Miller, Henry W., Zeno, Gardner, Nehemiah, Nehemiah, Nathaniel, Nathaniel, John, John], of Wadsworth, Medina County, Ohio, died July 18, 2004, at Cuyahoga Falls General Hospital, Summit County, Ohio, after a six-week illness. He was born March 30, 1923, and married Doris "Pat" Patricia Welch on Dec. 28, 1945, at Wadsworth. He is survived by daughters Jody Meager of Rancho Santa Margarita, Orange County, Calif., and Susan Thomas of Perry, Lake County, Ohio; and three grandchildren. Pat died in 2003. Burial was at Woodlawn Cemetery. The Hilliard & Mullaney Funeral Home in Wadsworth was in charge of arrangements. Contributions may be made to the Wadsworth 1st Christian Church or the Alzheimer's Assn.


ZYLPHA LEONE (PALMERLEE) KEEFER
1906-2004

Zylpha [Herbert Seward, Albert Seward, Stephen Asa, Amos, Amos, David, Joshua, John, John] died Sept. 11, 2004, at Aspen Meadows, in Billings, Clark County, Mont., where she had been a resident for the past 11 years. She was born in Dodge Center, Dodge County, Minn., on May 15, 1906, the daughter of Herbert Seward and Nellie (Blanchard) Palmerlee. She lived there until 1917, when she moved with her parents to Billings. The 1924 Billings High School graduate attended the Normal School [now Montana State University-Billings] where she earned her teaching certificate. She taught at Fishtail for several years and then at the Lake Basin (Molt), where she met her future husband, William Keefer. They were married March 2, 1930, and farmed in the Molt area for several years. They moved to Seattle for a short period so her husband could take classes in specialized welding. About that time, the Great Depression and a longshoremen’s strike brought them back to Billings. In 1954, she matriculated at Eastern Montana College of Education in Billings where she earned a Bachelor of Science in education. She continued working on her master’s degree with a specialization in remedial reading. She taught at the Campus, Garfield, Jefferson and North Park schools. She was a popular teacher and instilled the love of learning and reading in her students. After retirement, she enjoyed traveling with the trailer club, needle and handicrafts, the Modern Club, her weekly bridge club and her Masonic connections: 50-year member of Eastern Star, White Shrine, Daughters of the Nile. She is survived by a son, Roland J. Keefer of Spokane; a daughter-in-law, Winifred Keefer of Billings; two granddaughters and sons-in-law; and three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband; sister Ardith Marion Palmerlee; and son Neil S. The Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary of Billings was in charge of arrangements.

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