NASHVILLE
On July 21, 2024 Junior (or J.R. as he became known after age 90) left us to be reunited with his beloved wife Frances and look for the poor soul to be the 4th euchre player with him, his mother, Ruth and sister, Eileen. As was his goal, Junior died on the farm where he was born on June 23, 1928 to Elmer Sr. and Ruth (Condon) Parsley and grew up under the supervision of his only sibling, Eileen. While Eileen moved to the big city, Junior stayed on the farm and started his career as a school bus driver. In 1958, his life was changed for the best, when Frank Mitchell jumped on the bus and asked Junior if he would take Frank’s teacher, Frances Zupancic, to the prom if she would go. Junior said yes; Frances said yes and a loving union, farming business, and community support duo was born that endured until her death in 2007.
Besides driving the school bus, Junior was the township trustee back in the days when he had to chase down the weekend owners of houses in Sweetwater-Cordry Lakes to inventory their household goods, built houses with his brothers-in-law John and Tony Zupancic, and served on Farm Bureau and Soil and Water Conservation Boards. In his prime, he was known for having bus driving clothes, farming clothes, going to meeting clothes, and church clothes. In old age he was known for his bib overalls. Eventually Junior decided that since his only child Robin-Elizabeth was going to college he needed more income, and the Parsley tobacco farm was born and barns were built with some much-needed sanity advice from neighbor Keith Walker.
Much to the dismay of both his mother and his wife, Junior was not a joiner of organized religion but he faithfully drove Frances to all Sunday masses and since he always tried to be helpful and useful, Junior served as an usher.
Junior believed in being involved in the community and besides the above volunteer activities and board memberships, he kept his eye on the Brown County School Boards and Sheriff departments and would quickly let them know when they were not meeting his standards.
His lifelong hobby was playing euchre, and heaven help you if you trumped his ace or complained that he ALWAYS led with a trump.
Junior was the proud possessor of a Hoosier Homestead award for the family farm staying in the Parsley family for more than 100 years. After decades of being a Democratic office holder and voter, Junior became a Reagan Republican and discovered 24/7 news so politics became his retirement job and passion.
Junior was preceded in death by his parents Elmer Sr. and Ruth; his sister Eileen (Max) Eubanks; his sisters and brothers in law Josephine Zupancic, Mary AKA Mamie (Morris) Haggard, John (Mary) Zupancic and Tony Zupancic. He is greatly missed by his daughter Robin-Elizabeth (Bill Esarey) and nieces and nephews Helen Smith; John (Marie), Harry (Vicki), Charles, George (Shirley), and Anna Zupancic; Bill Witt and Bob and Wanda Eubanks; and numerous great nieces and nephews including Wade and Tony Zupancic.
The polar vortex led Junior to discover the beauty of having help around the farm and Scott Pettit became the reason Junior still had cows on the farm and was able to live on his own until his last illness. Many thanks to Scott.
Junior’s neighbors were a big part of his life and his ability to stay on the farm as he aged. Gratitude to David and Judy Walker (his first responders), Ron Brock and Jeanette Graves, Harold Henry and Garnetta Vaught, Kevin Doty, Lloyd and Crystal Wagler, the Gaither families and Tom and Kelly Young, Matt Nichols and all who kept him fed, checked on and visited with him.
In February 2024, worsening congestive heart failure and a fall led Junior to discover the world of letting others take care of him. He enjoyed being included in the lives of his caregivers and trying to convert all of them to the Republican party and Trump. Heartfelt thanks to: His neighbors, friends and relatives Scott Pettit, Mary Ellen, Rick, and Shelby Gaither, Wade and Brandy Zupancic, Helen Smith, Anna Zupancic, Marie and John Zupancic, Debbi Zupancic, Lloyd Wagler, and John Parsley for volunteering to stay with him. Heather Clemmons and Lisa Johnson for filling in all the gaps and Heather for being with him at the end. His son-in-law Bill for manning the home front and grand dogs for Robin-Elizabeth. His fabulous team at Main Street Hospice, including Brooke, Jackie, Kevin, Daphne, Debbie and Pastor Jim. The friendly and helpful caregivers from Visiting Angels including Cassie, Sam, Abilene, Caitlyn, and Brittany.
A visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 24th from 4 to 8 p.m. at Meredith-Clark Funeral Home Cremation &Personalization Center, 179 E. Mulberry Street in Morgantown. The Rev. John Parsley will conduct a funeral service at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 25th at the funeral home. Burial will be at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens in Greenwood.
In Memory of Junior (or J.R.) play a game or 3 of euchre and vote in all elections, attend political meetings and local board meetings, and run or volunteer for a position if you can.
