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HOWARD ARTHUR PARRISH

FUNERAL HOME

Midwest Funeral Home & Cremation Society - Newaygo Rd.

4602 Newaygo Road

Fort Wayne, Indiana

HOWARD PARRISH Obituary

HOWARD ARTHUR PARRISH, 89, peacefully departed this life on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018, to join family and friends that went before him. He was born in Paulding, Ohio. Howard joined the army during World War II. He was a member of the Big Red 1 Division, Company D, 16th Infantry Regiment. On April 3, 1948, he married the love of his life, Bonnie Jean Degitz, at St Andrews Catholic Church and had many years of amazing love and happiness together. "He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend to many". He retired from Dana after 42 years of service. He enjoyed their boat trips and fishing, playing aggravation and spending time with family and friends. "He will be greatly missed by all who knew him". Surviving are his three sons, Howard (Kathy), Richard (Valerie) and Michael (Kara); three daughters, Patricia (Michael) Loraine, Susan (Steven) Lauer, and Ann Parrish; brothers, Jim (Karen), Joe (Johanna), Denny (Karen), and Lynn (Teresa); and sister, Linda (Steve) Fisher; 20 grandchildren; and 32 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of seventy years, Bonnie Jean. There will be a private showing for family. Memorials to Parkview Hospice. Arrangements by Midwest Funeral Home & Cremation Society.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Fort Wayne Newspapers on Aug. 19, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for HOWARD PARRISH

140 Entries

September 18, 2019

Hi Dad,

It seems hard to imagine life without Mom and you. I hope you know how special the times we shared with you both have been. I will always miss seeing your smiling face and listening to your stories.

Please watch over everyone. Give Mom a huge hug from me.

Love you,
Sue

September 18, 2019

Hi Dad (aka Papa Smurf). It looks like this will be the last post I write on here. They say that writing to someone who has passed away helps with the grieving process, and I have to agree. It has definitely helped this past year. The void is sometimes hard to take, but I try to think of all the good times. Those memories are always what gets me through. It helps me to turn tears into a smile and laughter.

I miss all the talks we used to have. I miss watching all those re-runs of M.A.S.H. and many of your other favorite shows. I miss the times we just sat together on the swing and didn't say anything. We just took in the view and quietness. You always loved sitting out there with your crackers in one hand and beer in the other. You always took so much pride in your yard and making sure everything looked as good as it could. I admired that so much! I miss everything dad.

I want to thank you and mom for everything you taught me and for all you did for Ashley and I all those years. You were there for me when I needed you, and I was able to repay you by being there for you. That's how it should be. It's the circle of life. I'm proud to say that I had you and Mom as parents. You were a great father to me, and Mom was a great mother. Losing parents is a void that can never be filled by anyone. We never stop needing our parents no matter how old we get. I miss you both so much!

I know we will be together again one day, and I hope you and Mom are there to meet me when my time comes to join you both in Heaven. Until then Dad, please know that I love you, am proud to call you my Dad, and miss you more each day. I will cherish every memory I have and will continue your traditions, which I know meant everything to you and Mom. You and Mom are so loved and missed!

Until we meet again Dad, know that you were a great father and an awesome friend, and that I love you and miss you with all my heart.
Love, Ann

September 18, 2019

September 17, 2019

Dad,
All the pictures bring back so many great memories!!! We always had a wonderful time at your house and all the holidays were full of such great times. We love you and Mom and miss you everyday!! You will always be in our hearts.

Love you,
Pat

September 4, 2019

Hi Dad,

Going through all the photos has brought back so many great memories. Mom and you sure did know how to live and have fun. The kids will always remember the times spent at your house and how you both made the holidays and every day special. They learned so much from you..

We all miss you more than words can express.

Love,
Sue

September 4, 2019

September 3, 2019

Hi Dad. A friend of mine was looking at pictures of you last night at my house and commented how handsome you were, which is something I hear all the time when someone I know sees your picture. Then he commented how beautiful mom was and said you were such a great looking couple. I smiled and said, "They most certainly are!" When I was looking through pictures to post on here, there was always one consistent thing in all the pictures. You and mom always looked so happy! It warms my heart to know you are both together and can smile that way again. I sure miss you and mom! I love you both!!

Love, Ann

September 3, 2019

September 2, 2019

Dad,
Happy Labor Day! Wanted to say again how much I miss you and love you. Give Mom a big hug and kiss for me.
Love,
Pat

August 15, 2019

They do not need a special day to bring you to their minds. The days they do not think of you are very hard to find. Each morning when they awake they know that you are gone, and no one knows the heartache as they try to carry on. Their hearts still ache with sadness, and secret tears still flow. What it meant to lose you, no one will ever know. Their thoughts are always with you, your place no one can fill. In life they loved you dearly, in death they love you still. There will always to be a heartache, and often a silent tear. But always a precious memory of the days when you were here. If tears would make a staircase, and heartaches make a lane, they'd walk the path to heaven and bring you home again. They hold you close within their hearts, and there you will remain, to walk with them throughout their lives until you meet again. Your family chain is broken, and nothing seems the same, but as God calls them one by one, your chain will link again.

August 14, 2019

Hi Dad,
It is so hard to believe it has been a year since you have passed away. What got me through was knowing you and Mom are together again. I'm sure you and Mom are in heaven dancing up a storm with all your friends. Every time I go into Meijers,I think of your favorite rolls and donuts and of course all those peanut butter crackers. I think of all the things you taught me and how much you always took care of your family. Thank You Dad for everything you did for me. I miss you so much. Give Mom a big hug for me.
Love you and miss you.
Love,
Pat

August 14, 2019

Grandpa,
So much has happened in the last year. Both boys are in 7th grade and Reese started Kindergarden. You would be proud of them. I have put your tools to some great use on my truck build. Every time I use them or Reese helps me I think about you. I can't believe its been a year. I still miss you more than words will ever say. Last year to the day I had a Miller Lite in honor of you. Today I will do the same. Give Grandma a hug from me. I love you Grandpa.

Sue

August 14, 2019

Dad,

I cannot believe it has already been a year. Seems like only yesterday we were laughing and talking about all the craziness in the world.

So much has happened and I cannot help but think of the lyrics of a song, I believe that days go slow and years go fast, And every breath's a gift, the first one to the last!

Watching you these last eight years without Mom, I am so grateful for the time you shared with all of us, our kids and grandkids. You may not have agreed with everything we did or say, but you were always there to lend an ear.

When it became too difficult for you to get around by yourself, I know you were ready to move on and be with Mom. Words cannot express how I feel and how much I miss you.

You will always be in my mind and in my heart. Our kids will always remember their Grandpa and Grandma Parrish with love in their hearts, tears in their eyes and laughter when reminiscing about all the fun family times.

Please give Mom a hug and kiss for me. God Bless You Both!

Remember, you will always be loved!
Love you,
Sue

August 14, 2019

Hi Dad. I came to see you and Mom today. They say time helps to heal the pain, but I have to disagree with that saying. It's not a pain that ever goes away. It's a pain you just have to learn to live with. My heart wants you here and misses you so much, but I know you couldn't keep living with the physical pain you were in or the pain from missing Mom. I saw both every day, and the pain in your eyes from missing mom was just as hard as watching you struggle with the physical pain.
While it was something that was almost unbearable to see and feel, I wouldn't change being there with you when you passed and joined Mom in Heaven. Just as when Mom passed, there was a hole that was created that can never be filled by anyone or anything. Losing both of you has changed everyone's lives in our family. We all have so many wonderful memories of you both, and that is something that will get us through until we see you in Heaven one day. While I'm in no hurry to leave those I love here on earth, I long for the day when I can see you both again.
You and mom were the greatest, and although I didn't tell you near enough, I love you both so much! There are so many things you taught me, and I carry that with me to this day. Probably the most frequent saying you both told me was "Better safe than sorry." You have no idea how much I use that one little piece of advice in my life every single day. We don't always want to hear our parents' advice, but we completely understand it as we get older. I never though I'd say I miss that advice, but with age comes knowledge, and you and Mom gave great advice even though it may not have been obvious how much I listened to it.
I can honestly say I understand what people mean when I hear them say they never expected the day would come so soon when they would lose their parents. It's like parents are supposed to live forever even though we all know that isn't possible. Looking back at my life, I can remember thinking I still had so many more years with you both. Those years went by fast. One day everything was fine and everyone was laughing and having a great time at your house, and then Mom was gone. Then you were gone Dad. I miss those days, and I miss you both so much!
I know you both are watching over us all and still guiding us in life. I have so many days where I wish I could talk to you and Mom or give you both a big hug. Not long after that I will feel a calmness. I truly believe that is you and Mom giving me a hug. Please keep watching over us all. I know we can't see you, but I believe you are with us all the time. I love and miss you and Mom so much, and I can't wait for the day I can see you, hug you, and tell you both how much I love you!
Give Mom a big hug and kiss for me and tell her I love her and miss her!
I love you Dad!!
Love, Ann

Ashley Parrish

August 14, 2019

Pappy,
I have sat here trying to come up with the words to explain how much my heart aches not having you here. Youve been gone a year now and my heart hurts as much now as it did then. So many times I wish I could talk to you and hear you tell the same boat trip stories over again. Watch you play with Leland and Rhiannon. Wish you were here to hold Raine and have her get to know you. Leland made the comment the other day that he wishes you were still here and how he misses going over to your house. As much as it hurt knowing he misses you, I am so glad he got to know you and was your little sidekick. You gave him and Rhiannon so many great memories. I cherish all the pictures and videos I have of you and the kids. Continue to watch over my babies and keep them safe. I love and miss you and will continue to talk to you and grandma until we meet again!

August 13, 2019

Sue

July 5, 2019

Dad,

Happy Fourth of July!

The kids came over for a cookout and to jump in the pool to cool off. It has been really hot! You would not like it.

Later, we met Jason, Megan and the kids to watch the fireworks. We went to Glenbrook to watch the ones downtown from the top of the AEP building. Did not get the full affect of the booms but the kids got to see all the colors in the sky. Also, we did not have to deal with a lot of traffic to get home.

There were lots of people setting off fireworks all around our house and out north. Of course some of the best Fourth of Julys I remember were in your back yard! When we were little, I remember you used to buy one large sparkler and we all took turns running around with it. We had some great times and you really enjoyed setting fireworks off for the grandkids!

I know Mom and you are celebrating with all of your friends. We miss you happy faces and fun times. Know that we love you both!

Love,
Sue

June 17, 2019

Dad,
Happy Fathers Day!!! We all miss you so much. I think about you and Mom all the time. All those memories get me through each day!
Love and miss you
Pat

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