John A. Parish

John Parish passed away peacefully at the age of 97 early Thursday, December 6, 2012. John was born September 26, 1915 to Varnum and Frances Coontz Parish. Along with his six brothers and sisters, John grew up along the Kankakee River on Linden Island, swimming, ice skating, and enjoying the quiet beauty of the river valley. At the age of 26, John decided to join the Navy and sailed across the Pacific where he developed a lifelong love of the ocean. John was stationed on the USS Terror during the Pacific Theatre Operation. In 1944, John returned home from World War II. He joined the family business in 1949. Working first as a teller and ultimately as president of The Parish Bank. Community banking was his vocation and passion for the next 53 years. As John said, "Basically one of the main things with this business is there's a lot of variety in it and at the same time...it never changes. With certain things, business gets a little humdrum. But not here... I think something happens along the line where a little local control makes it better for the community you're in. You don't find that much any more." John was a member of St. Patrick's Church all his life serving on the boards of St. Patrick's School and Church. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1936. Although he was not one to seek attention, his hometown honored him as Golden Citizen of the Year in 1989. John was a family man. In his words, "One of the greatest achievements that one can have is a family and seeing that they do well." John married Juliet A. Marcotte of Momence in 1953 and they raised six children (and a menagerie of pets), continuing the pastoral lifestyle of his childhood. John is survived by his children, Michael and his wife Christine (Berry) of Peotone, Stephen of Minneapolis, Mary Ann and her husband Randy Severson of Trempealeau, WI, Johnny and his wife Sara (Paschke) of Viroqua, WI, Kathleen of Bourbonnais, and Maureen of Belmont, CA. John is the proud grandfather of seven grandchildren, Jacob, Emily, Samantha, Isabella, Samuel, Sidney, Sophia and great grandfather of Ayla, Adalyn, Lily, and Luke. He is also survived by his sister Mary Parish Nutting of Momence. He was preceded in death by three beloved sisters and two brothers; and was a favorite uncle to many nieces and nephews. Cemetery: Burial will be in St. Patrick Catholic Cemetery. Service: A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday (December 10, 2012) at 10:00am at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Momence. Visitation: Visitation will be from 4:00pm until 8:00pm on Sunday (December 9, 2012) at the Cotter Funeral Home in Momence.

John A. Parish

September 26, 1915 - December 6, 2012

Find a loved one Find a loved one