Dale A. Parsons, 59, of Cassopolis, died suddenly on Saturday morning, Aug. 15, 2009, at his home,

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, Aug. 19, at 2 p.m. at the Connelly Funeral Home, Cassopolis. The Rev. Dr. David M. Waid, pastor of the Dailey Church, Cassopolis, officiated.

Interment followed at Prospect Hill Cemetery, Cassopolis. Military graveside honors were rendered by members of the William E. Lozier V.F.W. Post No. 10704 and the Efton James American Legion Post No. 206, both of Cassopolis.

Friends called at the funeral home on Tuesday afternoon and evening.
He was born on Sept. 23, 1949, in South Bend, Ind., the son of Victor and Evelyn (Flessner) Parsons and he lived his entire life in Cassopolis.

On April 15, 1972, in Niles, he married Janice A. McIntyre, who survives.

Additional surviving family include, five children, Jennifer  A. (Kevin) McDaniel of Cassopolis, Kara D. (Scott) Johnson of Cassopolis, Emily Parsons and her fiancee, Rick Bukowski of Dowagiac, and Kim Parsons and Andrew V. Parsons, both of Cassopolis; seven grandchildren, Quinn McDaniel, Lola McDaniel, Alex McDaniel, Maile Barber, Hunter Parsons, Sabrina Bukowski and Roman Bukowski; and his devoted mother-in-law, Elizabeth McIntyre of Cassopolis.

Dale was employed for 31 years at Service Oil in Cassopolis. He had been a member of the U.S. Army, having served in Germany.

He was a person who loved being around people. He was truly a friend to all. He especially loved his family and grandchildren and enjoyed gardening and tending his fruit trees, making sure the birds were well fed.

He also enjoyed playing golf, bowling, traveling, collecting tractors and beer steins and attending tractor pull events at the Cass County fair.

Due to his love of trees, the family would be pleased if his friends were to purchase a young tree and plant it at home in their yard in his memory.

Memorial donations may be made to the Arbor Day Foundation.

Arrangements were by Connelly Funeral Home, Cassopolis.