By Staff
Grace M. Parmenter, 85, of LaGrange, Ind., went to be with the Lord Friday, Jan. 16, 2009, at Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne, Ind.
Mrs. Parmenter was born on Nov. 7, 1923, in Bushnell, Ill., to Mark A. and Mary Ellen (Thomas) Smith.
A wartime bride, she married Lt. Allen W. Parmenter, U.S. Army Air Corps, in Las Cruces, N.M., on Dec. 17, 1943.
Together they created a large and lasting legacy.
In 1968 they moved to Dowagiac, where Grace worked as a registered nurse at Lee Memorial Hospital and was a member of Sister Lakes Community Church and later Berrien Center Bible.
She also served as a nursing instructor at Southwestern Michigan College.
In 1988 she retired to LaGrange, Ind., to be near grandchildren and to enjoy their golden years.
Surviving are: two daughters and sons-in-law, Michele and Bill Berkey of Wolcottville, Ind., and Beverly and John Lietzau of Evanston, Ill.; six sons and daughters-in-law, Allen and Cheryl Parmenter II of Peoria, Ariz., Mark and Diana Parmenter of Mount Vernon, Ind., Kerry and Janet Parmenter of Lindenhurst, lll., Paul and Trudy Parmenter of Margate, Fla., Scott and Angela Parmenter of Pageland, S.C. and Adam and Marge Parmenter of Kalamazoo; 21 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
Also preceding her in death were her parents; a brother; and two sisters.
Services will be on Wednesday, Jan. 21, at 10 a.m. at the First Church of God in LaGrange, 777 N. Detroit St., LaGrange, IN 46761; (260) 463-3700.
Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery in LaGrange.
Visitation is from 2 to 4 and from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 20, at the church.
Memorials may be made to Gideons International and First Church of God. Condolences may be left for the family at www.fruripmayfuneralhome.com.