Don L. Parlette

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Ball State University

Don Parlette Obituary

DON L. PARLETTE, 92, died Saturday, March 19, 2005, at Bloomington Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Bloomington. He was the son of Jenny M. (Collins) Parlette and Elbert Parlette of Lima, Ohio. An outstanding music teacher, performer, and composer, he enriched the lives of countless children throughout his 37 years in public schools in West Unity and Archbold, Ohio, and in Muncie and Fort Wayne. He retired from Portage Junior High School in Fort Wayne in 1975. After retirement he operated Parlette Instrument Repair in Fort Wayne. In addition to his public school work, Don served as choir director for the Welsh Presbyterian Church, Columbus, Ohio, at Walnut Street Baptist Church and Hazelwood Christian Church in Muncie, and at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Aldersgate Methodist Church, and First Christian Church in Fort Wayne. He also conducted the Ball State Memorial Nurse's Choir in Muncie. Don was a graduate of the Army Music School, Washington, D.C., Ohio State University, and Vandercook College in Chicago. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army Band in Germany, France and Austria from 1942 to 1946. Before and after his military service he played in jazz and dance bands throughout Ohio and Indiana. He was an accomplished trumpet player. He was an elder of First Christian Church, Fort Wayne. He will be profoundly missed by his daughters, Margot Parlette of Tucson, Arizona and Doris Parlette of Bloomington; and granddaughter, Tiffany Walton of Bloomington, as their confidant, mentor, and best friend. He was prceded in death by his partner in music and devoted wife of 51 years, Valetta M. Taylor Parlette, formerly of Archbold, Ohio. Memorial service is 11am Thursday at First Christian Church, 4800 South Calhoun Street, Fort Wayne. Calling from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday at D.O. McComb & Sons Funeral Home, 6301 Fairfield Ave., Fort Wayne. Preferred memorials to the Paralyzed Veterans of America.

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Published by Fort Wayne Newspapers on Mar. 22, 2005.

Memories and Condolences
for Don Parlette

6 Entries

Michael Seldomridge

April 5, 2021

Mr. Parlette was director of the Muncie (IN) Central High School Marching Band from 1951 to 1963, and I started in September 1961, when he inaugurated the Symphonic Band as well. A high school marching band, like many other experiences of life, is unique in its way; for those who participated, no explanation is necessary, and for those who didn't, no explanation is possible. My years under Mr. Parlette's direction were among the happiest of my life, and I made many friends. I remember him as a stern taskmaster as we struggled under the blazing September sun with rehearsals for half-time shows, but also as fair and compassionate; his office door, as he liked to say, was always open. I still recall my sense of shocked disbelief on that warm June evening in 1963, at the end of my junior year, when he announced "I will not be with the Band next year." It's comforting to know that he enjoyed a long and successful life after his years in Muncie. Rest in peace, sir.

Michael Seldomridge

Rodney/Joyce(deceased) Qualkinbush

March 17, 2006

Depist sympathy.

Thanks God we have years of memories, while at Muncie central & beyond

PS. I lost Joyce one year ago this april.

Rodney Q.

Kay Rankin

March 22, 2005

To the Parlette girls:

I don't know if you remember me, but I was, in the early 1960's, Kay Shelby. I was the secretary-treasurer of marching band, symphony band, and orchestra--all under the watchful eye of your father. On Saturday mornings I would go to Muncie Central and do work for him; he paid me out of his own pocket. On those Saturdays, he conducted what I believe to be the Satalite Band, younger kids who had musical interests. No pun intended, but he was very instrumental in my life. My junior and senior years consisted of 3 hours a day in the band room. Mr. Parlette left at the end of my junior year and was replaced by Paul McDaniel. Hang on to all those memories of a wonderful man--I have missed him since he left Muncie Central.

Kay (Shelby) Rankin

Muncie Central 1964

Julia (Hinshaw) Sumner

March 22, 2005

To the family of Don L. Parlette I send heartfelt sympathy on the loss of a wonderful person who influenced many lives. I was a member of the Central High School band in Muncie, Indiana when we won first place at the State Fair and also placed first in the Cherry Blossom Parade in Washington, D.C. Mr. Parlette certainly had the respect and admiration of the students and parents as well. He helped many of us create our fondest memories of high school as memebers of the Central High School band. We also remember with fondess his lovely wife. Our thoughts are with you.

Julia (Hinshaw) Sumner

Joyce Qualkinbush

March 22, 2005

For Doris and Margot: I was saddened to read of the death of your Father, Don L. Parlette. I was a member of the Muncie Central High School band under his expert and energetic direction. My best memories from high school are the band experiences due,in large part, to Mr. Parlette. He led us to a State Fair band contest first place finish as well as first place in the Cherry Blossom Parade in 1954 in Washington, D. C. It was great to see him when we had the 30-year reunion of the band in 1984!! We have lost an accomplished musician, but most of all, a good man. I'm sure he is directing a Heavenly band! My deepest sympathy to you and the rest of your family.

Joyce (DeVinney) Qualkinbush

Class of 1955, Muncie Central H. S.

Debi Kennedy

March 22, 2005

What a wonderful inspiration Mr. Parlette was to me during my years at Portage. With much thanks to him, 31 years after high school I'm still playing my flute in the Community Band. Music kept me in school and helped shape me into who I am today and a lot of that is due to his commitment. Now he'll be playing with the angels above. My condolences to your family on your loss.

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