Rosemary Parsons (Barker)

Rosemary Parsons, 96 and living life to the fullest, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, June 12, 2019 just after 4 p.m. in Fort Wayne’s Lutheran Hospital.

Born in Kokomo to William Roscoe Barker and Mary (Underwood) Barker on September 24, 1922, she married Hubert R. Parsons on June 24, 1941 in Yuma, AZ. She was a 1940 graduate of Pierceton High School where she was the first drum majorette in the school’s marching band.

Rosemary worked at Douglas Aircraft in California, primarily in riveting and wiring. She worked in the orthopaedic field for Zimmer (14 years) and DePuy (7 years) and was the owner/operator of the Delicatessen Restaurant in Warsaw. In 1972, she earned her Real Estate Broker’s Licensure and operated Parson’s Realtors for more than 24 years. She was a five-year board member of Kosciusko Board of Realtors, served as President of the Pierceton Chamber of Commerce, was past President and Vice-President of the Wabash Valley Council of Women Realtors, served on the steering committee of the Kosciusko County Senior Center and was a longtime member of Celebration Church. She was also a second runner-up of Mrs. Senior Indiana Queen (1999), was active in the March of Dimes for more than 25 years, served on the Lung Association board, Indiana Right to Life board, and was a charter member of Altrusa.

Rosemary loved to travel, visiting 14 countries, Alaska, Hawaii and enjoying numerous cruises. She also loved to dance and entertain. She took up tap dancing at age 72 and became the leader and choreographer for the Dancin’ Grannies (1992-2014) who performed at area nursing homes and community events. She danced with Fort Wayne’s Ally Kats and performed on three cruise ships in dance competition – earning three gold and four silver awards. Celebrating her 90th birthday, she sky-dived from an airplane; her 92nd she rode with Jack Felger, Director of Kosciusko Senior Center, on his Can Am Motorcycle and since has rode in a helicopter, an open-cockpit bi-plane, a glider and drove G & G Hauling's largest dump truck.

Full of life and vigor, Rosemary always strived to bring joy to others. She loved her family deeply and is survived by son, Stephen (Judy) Parsons and daughter, Andrea (John) Ebersole – all of Warsaw. Also surviving are four grandchildren: Angela Ebersole of Warsaw, Alycia (Cord) Julian of Warsaw, Kristiana (Tim) Leonard of Westfield and Tara (Tim) Glatt of Ft. Wayne; 7 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in passing by her husband, Hubert “Hugh” Parsons, her parents and a sister, Betty Kruger.

Visitation will be held at Titus Funeral Home, 2000 East Sheridan Street, Warsaw on Monday, June 17, 2019 from 2 to 6 p.m. A funeral which celebrates Rosemary’s life will be held at Titus on Tuesday at 11 a.m. Pastors David Kyle and Cindy Gackenheimer(ret.) will officiate the service with burial following at Oakwood Cemetery.

Memorial gifts may be directed to Celebration Church, 1289 South 250 East, Winona Lake, IN 46590.