Dean A. Parson, 80, of Ligonier, passed away at 8:30 a.m. May 10, 2013, in Goshen Hospital. He was born Jan. 7, 1933, in Wabash County, to Verlin and Ruby Sutton Parson. On March 30, 1957, in Wabash, he married Janice Florey. They were married for 48 years before she preceded him in death in 2005. He honorably served his country as a helmsman in the U.S. Navy from 1952-56 aboard the aircraft carriers USS Bennington and the USS Leyte. He was a member of Ligonier United Methodist Church and also West Noble American Legion. In 2005 he was baptized at Faith Freewill Baptist Church, Kendallville. He was a farmer, long haul truck driver and retired from Jeld-Wen, Ligonier, in 1998. Surviving are three beloved children: Doug (and spouse Valerie) Parson, New Haven; Greg (and spouse Carmel) Parson, Rome City; and Laura Scott, Ligonier; seven precious grandchildren: John Parson (and fiancée Julie); Chad (and spouse Laura) Scott; Tabitha (and spouse Matthew) Ray; Ethan, Thalia and Trinity Parson; and Nicholas Thomas; three precious great-grandchildren: Alexander, Annalyse-Jan and Claire; four siblings: Joyce (and spouse Jim) Emerick, Florida; Carol (and spouse Orville) Owens, Warsaw; Tony (and Barb), North Manchester; and Max Parson, Wabash; brothers- and sisters-in-law: Dixie and Terry Goodrich, South Whitley; Monte and Mary Florey, Leesburg; Sharon Florey, Andrews; and Norma Flore, Silver Lake; many nieces and nephews; and several special friends, Bob and Marion Vick and their children of Indianapolis, the late Bill and Peg Huddleston, Wabash, and Gene Stavdahl. He also was preceded in death by his parents; a baby daughter, Teena Lynn; his parents- in-law, Charles and Geneva Florey; a brother, Robert; sister-in-law Patricia; brothers-in-law, Larry Florey and Leo Florey; a niece, Heather Florey; and a nephew, Michael Emerick. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Yeager Funeral Home, 1589 Lincolnway S., Ligonier, with Pastor Jean Ness officiating. Burial will be at Oak Park Cemetery, Ligonier. Calling is from 3 to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. ***** Memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society or the Wounded Warrior Project.
