Published: January 01, 2009 11:19 pm         

Dale E. Gerrish was long time Parke County Council president

ROCKVILLE — Dale E. Gerrish, 78, of Rockville, died at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008, at his farm. He served the past 32 years as Parke County Councilman serving 31 years as council president. He was officially sworn in Tuesday to serve another four-year-term. He was an active farmer and retired from Otter Creek Junior High School as Industrial Arts teacher with 15 years service. He was born on May 5, 1930, in Clinton, to the late J. Clarence Gerrish and Esther Madonna Freed Gerrish. His wife of 45 years, Norma Jean LaPrees Gerrish, whom he married June 16, 1951, in Rockville, preceded him in death, on May 28, 1997.

Survivors include two sons, Mike (Melinda) Gerrish of Shirley, Ind., and Steve (Anita) Gerrish of Crawfordsville; two daughters, Donna Berry of Rockville and Peggy S. Lovelady of Carlisle; two sisters, Martha Jean (Dane) Cox of Montezuma and Mildred Robertson of Franklin; special friend, Betty Ruark and family of Rockville; 11 grandchildren, John Wagner, Michael D. Gerrish, Jennifer (Brad) Bussberg, Roxanne (Gene) Ensor, Chris (Ronnie) Black, Dale Berry, Jeremy (Melissa) Gerrish, Gretchen (Ben) Zagorski, Rachel (Aaron) Badgett, Roger (Toni) Lovelady, Dusty (Megan) Lovelady; and 10 great-grandchildren, Alisa Bussberg, Andrew, Jacob and Cody Ensor, Keely and Til Black, Wyatt and Carson Lovelady, Parker Badgett and Luke Zagorski. He was preceded in death by his half sister, Judy Faraco.

He was a graduate of Mecca High School and Indiana State Teachers College. He was a 50-year member and Past Master of Parke Masonic Lodge 8, Scottish Rite Valley of Terre Haute, Zorah Shrine of Terre Haute and Parke County Low 12 Club. He also served on the West Central Economic Development Board. He was active in community affairs his entire lifetime.

Masonic services are 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan 3, 2009, in Gooch Funeral Home, 112 W. Howard St., in Rockville with Parke Lodge 8 officiating. Funeral services will follow with the Rev. Brad C. Bumgardner officiating. Burial is in Memory Garden Cemetery in Rockville. Visitation is from 4 to 8 p.m. today in the funeral home. Memorials should friends so desire, may be made to Parke Lodge 8, 907 Eastwood Drive, Rockville, IN 47872 or Mecca ARABS, P.O. Box 4, Mecca, IN 47860 to support the Mecca School.

We have a neighbor who is really a friend. He drives by twirling his finger in the air with a grin.

To me this is a sign that our neighborhood is okay because he watches out for things gone astray.

If your snowed in, you won’t be much delayed, he’ll soon have you out with tractor and blade.

If Riley turns his tractor upside down in his pasture, he will help him out but it will cost you his laughter!

When a fence is down or a cow is out he will always let us know and when we all need good advice we all know where to go. But sweet corn in July is what we most cherish. Here’s to the generous Mr. Dale Gerrish.