ROCHELLE — Bernard William Parsley, 100, passed away peacefully Tuesday, June 6, 2017. His wife and all three of his children were at his side.
Bernard was born Feb. 12, 1917 to Mamie (Cardott) and William Parsley in Compton. He was a proud graduate of Steward High School, class of 1935. He served with the Army Air Corp, Air Force, for 35 months overseas for WWII. He and Elizabeth Francis Greenfield were married on May 6, 1945. They recently celebrated 72 years of marriage. Bernard was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Rochelle.
Bernard lived a full and vibrant life that made his wife and children very proud. He was a respected farmer in the Malta community for many years. He also worked for The Elmer Larson Quarry for several years as the explosives specialist.
Bernard was a commercial pilot and owned his own planes for several years. His pride and joy was a blue and white Luscombe. He was a proud Veteran of WWII, who served in England, Sicily, Italy and North Africa. Bernard was a genius mechanic to whom many folks brought items to be repaired. He also was a very imaginative mechanical engineer. He designed and built many items including a cattle chute, a piggy-back 2 tractor implement, and a weight-transfer sled machine for tractor pulls. He was known as ‘The Sled Man.’ His list of accomplishments could go on forever. His talents and his genius were unlimited.
Bernard is survived by his wife, Elizabeth of Rochelle; three children, Mary of Rochelle, Shirley Parsley Chrestman of Glendale, Ariz., and Norman (Debbie) of Peoria. He is also is survived by two grandchildren, Shelly (Mark) Gardner of Sycamore, and Adam Chrestman of Phoenix, Ariz.; two great-grandchildren, Madelyn and MacKenzie Johnson of Sycamore. He is also survived by a brother, Harold Parsley of Concord, Calif.; sister, Helen Lang of Rochelle; brother-in-law, Dale Svela of Steward; and sister-in-law, Betty Parsley of Rockford.
In addition to his parents, Bernard is predeceased by his sister, Lucille Svela; brother, Edgar Parsley; and two infant brothers.
The service of celebration of Bernard’s life will be held at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Rochelle on Saturday, June 24. Visitation is 10 to 12 p.m. The memorial service will follow at 12 p.m., conducted by Pastor Greg Hoffmann. Burial of the ashes will follow at Trinity Memory Gardens, with Military Rites provided by the Eastern Lee-Ogle Honor Guard. A luncheon will follow at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Bernard Parsley’s name to either Rochelle VFW Post 3878 or St. Paul Lutheran Church in Rochelle.
Visit www.ungerhorner.com to sign the online guest book.