Richard L. Parsons

DOYLESTOWN – Richard L. Parsons, age 94, passed away on January 2, 2026.

Born July 1, 1931 in Coventry Twp., OH, he is the last of five brothers born to the late Guy and Dolly (Lockhart) Parsons.  A graduate of Green High School, Richard met his bride to be in the seventh grade while playing drums in the orchestra and married in December of 1950.  They had two children, Sharon and Dale, and were blessed with five grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.  He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army in Germany during the Korean Conflict from 1949 to 1953.

Richard’s career spanned many years of sales and repair positions.  He had his own television and appliance repair service back when televisions and radios ran on tubes; transistors had not been invented at that time.  He then spent many years providing repairs to food service machinery which led him to retire from Tusko Sales and Service.  A resident of Doylestown since 1954, he grew up in the country and always enjoyed rural living, having never lived in a city. Richard was an active part of the Valley Community Church in Doylestown, serving in any way he could to help out.  This involved many things such as volunteering and cooking for the Mother/Daughter banquet, which he repeated five more times with the help of his daughter, Sharon and best friend Ron Collins.  He said, “You try and prepare for 90 from scratch in the space of a closet, super planning and prep is the key”. He maintained and repaired various problems in the church and loved to sing with Ron and the choir. He always said he wanted to go as active as he could, not in a rocker.

Richard loved the outdoors and all the activities it offers, from working in his yard, gardening, flowers, hunting, fishing, and attending sporting events of his grandchildren.  He especially enjoyed the many trips to Rice Lake in Roseneath, Canada with the family and grandchildren and deer hunting with his son, Dale with exceptional success.

Richard cherished the strong love and support of his daughter and son and the relationships he had built with his grandchildren, always working to set a good Christian example for his family and hoping they all knew the love that was in his heart.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife, Mary Ann, whom he took care of during her five year decline in health which gave her the ability to stay home till the end where she comfortably passed in her own bedroom; grandson, Matthew Helmick; brothers, Lawrence (Margaret) Parsons, Allan Parsons, Edward (Wilma) Parsons, and an infant brother.  He is survived by his daughter, Sharon (Charles) Helmick of Doylestown, Dale (Linda) Parsons of Strongsville; grandchildren, David (Ashley) Helmick, Brittany (Kirby) Keller, Daniel (Madeline) Parsons, Ashley (Kenny) Ziegler; great grandsons, Cedar, Casper, Beacon, and Nash; great granddaughters, Sage, Lily, and Virginia; other family and friends.

Funeral service will be on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at 11:30 a.m. at Valley Community Church, 5700 Taylor Rd., Doylestown, OH, 44230 with Pastor Daryl Paris, officiating. A private committal service will be held at Greensburg Cemetery in Green, OH.  Calling hours will be from 10 a.m. until time of service on Wednesday at the church.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Matthew Helmick Scholarship Fund, Chippewa Athletic Department, 466 S. Portage St., Doylestown, OH, 44230 or the Summa Health System, Parkview Infusion Center, 155 5th St. N.E., Barberton, OH, 44203.  Online obituary and guest registry are available at www.zakmonbarrenfh.com

(Zak-Thacker & Monbarren, 330-658-2211)

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