Alfred “Lee” Parish
February 9th, 1931 - July 18th, 2023
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Lee's Obituary
Alfred “Lee” Parish, 92, a lifelong resident of Decatur, passed away Tuesday evening, July 18, 2023 at Corewell Health Niles Hospital in Niles, Michigan. He was born on February 9, 1931 in Decatur, the son of the late James and Dorothy (Graham) Parish.
Lee was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps serving 2 years (1951-1953) during the Korean Conflict. On July 10, 1954, he married the former Bonnie J. Baldwin in South Bend, IN. Lee loved tinkering on mechanical and motorized objects all of his life. He had a knack for fixing things intuitively without any formal education. Lee enjoyed being outdoors. He liked gardening, fishing and camping. There were many summers Lee and his family would travel to Nichols Lake in Bitely, MI. During his later years, he enjoyed traveling with his children to many destinations around the U.S.
Surviving are two daughters, Faye (Harold) Hunsberger and Debora (Robert) Flory Sr., both of Decatur; a son, Timothy (Anita) Parish of Decatur; nine grandchildren, Troy (Rachel) Hunsberger, Bonnie Foreman, Josh Hunsberger, Noah (Kara) Hunsberger, Stephanie (Kevin) Wiles, Elizabeth (Paul) Leffler, Lee (Jayme) Haefner, Kristyn (Mark) Lohroff and Bruce (Kim) Haefner; twenty-eight great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; one brother, Larry (Florence) Parish of Decatur; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death were his wife of 59 years, Bonnie Parish; two sisters, Betty Van’t Zelfde, Lyla Bigelow; and four brothers, Deron Parish, Arden Parish, James Parish Jr., and Marion Parish.
Honoring Lee’s wishes, cremation has taken place and there will be no public visitation. Graveside services with Military Honors will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, August 12, at Lakeside Cemetery. Arrangements were entrusted to Newell Chapel – Starks Family Funeral Homes, 83313 M-51, Decatur. Those wishing to share a memory of Lee online may do so at www.newellchapel.com.
Lee was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps serving 2 years (1951-1953) during the Korean Conflict. On July 10, 1954, he married the former Bonnie J. Baldwin in South Bend, IN. Lee loved tinkering on mechanical and motorized objects all of his life. He had a knack for fixing things intuitively without any formal education. Lee enjoyed being outdoors. He liked gardening, fishing and camping. There were many summers Lee and his family would travel to Nichols Lake in Bitely, MI. During his later years, he enjoyed traveling with his children to many destinations around the U.S.
Surviving are two daughters, Faye (Harold) Hunsberger and Debora (Robert) Flory Sr., both of Decatur; a son, Timothy (Anita) Parish of Decatur; nine grandchildren, Troy (Rachel) Hunsberger, Bonnie Foreman, Josh Hunsberger, Noah (Kara) Hunsberger, Stephanie (Kevin) Wiles, Elizabeth (Paul) Leffler, Lee (Jayme) Haefner, Kristyn (Mark) Lohroff and Bruce (Kim) Haefner; twenty-eight great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; one brother, Larry (Florence) Parish of Decatur; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death were his wife of 59 years, Bonnie Parish; two sisters, Betty Van’t Zelfde, Lyla Bigelow; and four brothers, Deron Parish, Arden Parish, James Parish Jr., and Marion Parish.
Honoring Lee’s wishes, cremation has taken place and there will be no public visitation. Graveside services with Military Honors will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, August 12, at Lakeside Cemetery. Arrangements were entrusted to Newell Chapel – Starks Family Funeral Homes, 83313 M-51, Decatur. Those wishing to share a memory of Lee online may do so at www.newellchapel.com.
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