Ralph D. Parsley, 97, passed away peacefully Wednesday evening, Aug. 1, 2012, at Brown County Health & Living Community in Nashville. He was a lifelong resident of Brown County.

Ralph was born July 7, 1915, in Nashville to Otto and Olive (Burris) Parsley. He married Garnet M. (Keaton) Parsley Aug. 14, 1938, in Trafalgar. Garnet preceded him in death Dec. 4, 2006, after 68 devoted years of marriage.

Ralph was the sole surviving graduate of the 1934 class of Morgantown High School. After graduation, he started his working career hauling sand and gravel with a team of horses for 40 cents a load. Ralph moved on to using one of the first trucks ever driven in Brown County. Also during the 1930s and '40s, he farmed different farms in Brown County all with horse-drawn equipment and also worked at the canning factory in Morgantown. Ralph also worked for the Brown County Highway Department. He served two terms as the county clerk of courts. Finally, in 1980, he retired from the maintenance Ddpartment of Indiana University in Bloomington after 10 years of service.

Ralph was very active and dedicated to his church, family and community. He was a 70-year member of Unity Baptist Church in Brown County where he was a deacon. He was involved in the Brown County Historical Society and Brown County Old Settlers, where he and his wife were recognized in 2011 for their dedication through the years. Ralph was also a member of the Central Committee for the Brown County Democratic Party, Bean Blossom Boosters, Brown County Farm Bureau and REMC and the former Cattleman’s Association. He enjoyed coon hunting, IU basketball and was a fan of the New York Yankees since 1929. Ralph also enjoyed reading and sitting on his front porch looking at the beautiful hills of Brown County.

Ralph was the loving father to Wanda R. Bunge of Nashville and the Rev. John C (wife, Susan R.) Parsley of Clearfield, Utah. He will be remembered by his five grandchildren, Trudy M. (Greg) Icenogle of Zionsville, Polly A. (Kurt) Bailer of Greenwood, Angela R. (Chris) Kelly of Indianapolis, and Jason D. (Jessalynn) and John “Rob” (Angela) Parsley, both of Plainfield. Ralph also will be remembered by his five great grandchildren, Jamie, Mary and Maddie Icenogle, all of Zionsville, and Brock Bailer of Greenwood and Camden Parsley of Plainfield; and one sister, Jean Dailey of Morgantown.

He was preceded in death by a son-in-law: Kenneth L. Bunge; and a grandson, James Timothy Parsley.

The Revs. Wallace Jeffs and Lee Snider will conduct a funeral service at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 6 at Unity Baptist Church, three miles east of State Road 135 on Spearsville Road in Brown County. Friends can call from 2-7 p.m. Sunday at Meredith-Clark Funeral Home Cremation & Personalization Center, 179 E. Mulberry St. in Morgantown, and from 9:30 a.m. until service time Monday at the church. Ralph will be laid to rest in the Unity Baptist Church Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be sent in honor of Ralph to the Brown County Health & Living Community “Entertainment Fund,” 55 E. Willow St., Nashville, IN 47448.

Expressions of caring and kindness may be made to the Parsley family at www.meredith-clark.com.

Information:  (812) 597-4670