Rodney Parson

Rodney K. Parson, 77, of Tulpehocken Twp., Berks County, died Wednesday, June 5, 2013 at the VA Medical Center, Lebanon.

He was the husband of Betty J. (Kintzer) Claman Parson, to whom he was married 4 years on January 5. His first wife, Patricia Ann Parson, died November 16, 1991.

Born in Newmanstown, PA, on August 14, 1935, he was the son of the late Hoyt L. and Hilda A. (Holstein) Parson.

He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War and had been employed at Warner-Lambert Lititz for many years, retiring in 1997.

He was an avid bike rider, Phillies fan and NASCAR fan and enjoyed reading. He was a baseball catcher in the County Midget League and other area leagues throughout his life, and in 1950, won the Midget Knee Hi Championship, Newmanstown.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by stepdaughters Tammy, wife of Roger Kelchner, of Myerstown; Sherry, wife of Steven Backenstoes, of Jonestown; Kim, wife of Jeffrey Backenstoes, of Lebanon; stepson, Russell J., husband of Jamie Claman, of Clear Spring, Maryland; 8 stepgrandchildren; sisters Anne Timmins, of Manheim; and Renee, wife of Larry Reiter, of Myerstown; brother, Richard, husband of Sandra Parson, of Magnolia, Delaware, and several nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Rodney's life will be held Monday, June 10, 2013 at 11 a.m. from Grose Funeral Home, 358 W. Washington Ave., Myerstown. A visitation will be held Monday at 10 a.m. Interment at Millbach Cemetery, Newmanstown.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to VA Hospice, 1700 S. Lincoln Ave., Lebanon, PA 17042. www.grosefuneralhome.com.