Herman Parent

Herman R. Parent, 85, died at 6:45 p.m. January 29, 2009, at Lima Convalescent Home. He was born February 19, 1923, in Allen County, Ohio to Chester P. and Anna Wise Parent, who preceded him in death. On December 7, 1943, he married Helen Breneman who died in 1985. On December 28, 1986, he married Margaret Baker, who died May 23, 2008. Mr. Parent retired as president of J.M. Sealts Wholesale Grocery Co. He served in the Army from January 13, 1943, to February 23, 1946, during World War II. He was awarded the Bronze Star. He was a 1941 graduate of Shawnee High School and a 1950 graduate of Bluffton College. He was a member of Westside United Methodist Church. He was a longtime coach of Little League and midget football at Shawnee. He was a founder of the Lion & Lamb Peace Arts Center at Bluffton University. He was a past board member of Big Brothers/Big Sisters. For several years, he and Helen operated Big Oak Camp for underprivileged children. Survivors include two sons, the Rev. John (Kay Rodabaugh) Parent, of Dayton, Ohio, and Jeff (Vickie) Parent, of Lima, Ohio; a daughter, Barbara (Larry) Easterday, of Bluffton, Ohio; six grandchildren, Ty (Rosa) Parent, Jeff (Jennifer) Easterday, Alison (Jeremy) Dee, Courtney (Mike) Clark, John (Valerie) Parent and Jennifer Parent; seven great-grandchildren; and three foster children, Madge Phalen, of Lima, Ohio, Arnold Beverly, of Cridersville, Ohio, and Cliff Beverly, of Naalehu, Texas. He was preceded in death by five brothers, William Parent, Donald Parent, Forest Parent, John Harold Parent and Ray Virgil Parent; and two sisters, S. Cathren Eversole and Bessie Beech. Services will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7th,at Chamberlain-Huckeriede Funeral Home. Burial was in Allentown Cemetery. Friends may call from noon to 1 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made the Lion & Lamb Peace Arts Center, care of Bluffton University, Bluffton OH 45817.