Doris E. Parr

Doris E. Parr passed away peacefully on March 5, 2012, at the Whitcomb Towers in St. Joseph, Michigan at the age of ninety. She is survived by her sons Donald D. Parr of St. Joseph, Michigan, Kenneth H. Parr of Raleigh, North Carolina and daughter Kathleen (Robert) Styer of Pukalani, Hawaii. Grandchildren include Alison Tickle of Raleigh, North Carolina, married to Michael Tickle, Kelly Bryce of Pukalani, Hawaii, married to John K. Bryce, Megan Volkening of San Francisco, California, married to Joel Volkening, Melissa Yeske of St. Joseph, Michigan married to Christopher Yeske, and great granddaughter Peyton Tickle of Raleigh, North Carolina. She is also survived by one sister, Betty Johnson of Palos Park, Illinois. She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Henry and Edna Bittner of St. Joseph, Michigan, one sister, Eleanor Lehman from Monaca, Pennsylvania and her husband, LeRoy Parr, Jr. of St. Joseph, Michigan. Doris was born in St. Joseph, Michigan on October 27, 1921. She attended St. Joseph Public Schools, graduating in 1938. Doris married Roy Parr on September 12, 1943 in St. Joseph. Doris was involved in many civic activities. Leadership duties included president of Twin Cities Area Symphony Board, Western Michigan University music programs, and past President of Monday Musical Club. She was on the scholarship committee for Interlochen Musical Camp and the Michigan Federation of Music. She was a member of Zion Evangelical UCC and sang in the church choir for over forty years. Also, she was the past president of three local garden clubs. Many people admired for years her beautiful gardens around her home of which she loved and tended to on her own. She was active in many civic and social areas throughout her life. Doris devoted herself to the betterment of all groups in which she was involved. Her dedication to others was consistent throughout her life. The family wishes to extend a much deserved thank you to the staff of the Whitcomb Towers Retirement Home of which she was a resident for five years. Their kindness and caring cannot be overstated enough for the joy and comfort that they extended to our mother. Visitation will be held at Starks-Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, on Wednesday, March 7, 2012 from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M. Funeral services celebrating her life will be held on Thursday, March 8, 2012 at 2:00 P.M. at Zion Evangelical UCC, 3001 Veronica Drive, St. Joseph, Michigan with Pastor Dan J. Smith officiating. Internment will follow at Riverview Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to Hospice At Home or Zion Evangelical UCC. Those wishing to sign Doris’ Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.