Visitation:
Thursday, May 8, 2025, from 5 - 7 p.m., with Masonic
Rites held at 7:00 pm at Frick-Calvert-Schrader
Funeral Home
Service:
Friday, May 9, 2025 at 9 a.m. at the funeral home
Funeral home:
Fricke-Calvert-Schrader, Lincoln
Obituary
Robert E. Parrish, 91, of Lincoln,
IL, passed away on Tuesday, April 29, 2025.
Robert was born on June 28, 1933, in Taylorville,
IL, to Harold F. and Clara F. (Gelonek) Parrish. He
married Wilma Meridith on December 23, 1956, in
Stonington, IL. She preceded him in death on January
25, 2017.
Robert is survived by his sons, Robert and Meridith
Parrish; daughter, Deborah Ewins; grandchildren,
Jennifer (Isaac) Sheley, Christopher Parrish,
Tiffany Parrish, Sylvia Parrish, and M. Bobbi
Parrish; sixteen great-grandchildren; a sister,
Edmona Vitali; three nieces; several great-nieces
and nephews; and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife,
Wilma; son-in-law, John Ewins; grandson, James Ewins;
siblings, Harold (Dotty) Parrish and Virginia
(Charles) Davis; and his brother-in-law, Aldo Vitali.
Robert graduated from Taylorville High School in
1951. He proudly served in the US Navy Corp during
the Korean War. Robert played football for the US
Navy at Camp Lejeune and Little Creek. He graduated
from Eastern Illinois University with a master’s
degree in education. He worked as a teacher, coach,
athletic director, grain elevator manager, and an
insurance underwriter.
|

Robert was a member of the First
United Methodist Church where he served on various
committees and boards. He served as past president
of the USS Ashland Association, the Lodge of Ancient
Free and Accepted Masons of Virden Lodge #161, Ansar
Shrine, past president of Logan County Shrine Club,
past watchman of Shepherds of the White Shrine of
Jerusalem, past president of Rotary Club and past
International District Governor of Area 2, VFW Gold
Circle Supporter, and was a past Oasis Senior Center
President.
Funeral Services for Robert will be held at 9:00 am
on Friday, May 9, 2025, at Fricke-Calvert-Schrader
Funeral Home in Lincoln. Visitation will take place
the night prior, Thursday, May 8, 2025, from 5:00 -
7:00 pm, with Masonic Rites held at 7:00 pm at the
funeral home. A burial at Camp Butler National
Cemetery in Springfield will follow the service at
11:00 am on Friday with full military honors.
Memorials in honor of Robert may be given to Oasis
Senior Center in Lincoln or St. Jude Children’s
Research Hospital.
Click here to send a note of condolence to the family of Robert E.
Parrish
|