Myrna B. Parmele, 88, of Rensselaer, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2012 at Jasper County Hospital. She was born in Witt, IL on Sept. 20, 1923, daughter of the late Thomas William and Margaret H. (Young) Beasley. Myrna graduated from Witt High School in 1941, and St. Louis Business College in 1942. She then worked for the Army Corps of Engineers for five years. In June of 1946 Myrna married Richard Birnie. He passed away in October of 1946. She graduated from Illinois State University in 1951 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education. On Feb. 12, 1951, in Normal, IL, she married her husband of over 61 years, C. Ursel Parmele, and he survives.

Myrna had been a Rensselaer resident since 1953. She taught social studies at West Central Elementary School for several years and later worked as a bookkeeper at the Rensselaer Care Center until her retirement. She was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Rensselaer for over 60 years, where she had served as Church Treasurer, President of the Women’s Association and Ruth Circle, sang in the choir and taught Sunday School. She was a charter member of the Jasper County Hospital Auxiliary and helped start the Gift Mobile. She was also a member of Kappa Kappa Kappa, Ladies Literary Club, Jasper County Art League, and Curtis Creek Country Club. She was an avid bridge player and enjoyed singing and playing the piano. She and her husband enjoyed spending their winters in Florida, Texas, and Arizona.

Myrna is survived by two sons, Paul A. Parmele (wife: Abbie) of Rensselaer and Scott I. Parmele (wife: Deb) of Rensselaer; and three grandchildren, Logan Parmele (wife: Lora) of Gulfport, MS, Kyle Goss (fiancé: Callie Farmer) of Peoria, IL, and Claire Parmele of Rensselaer. She was preceded in death by her parents.

A memorial service for Myrna will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 20, 2012 at the First Christian Church, 327 N. Van Rensselaer St. with Rev. Ann Smith-Williams officiating. Interment will follow at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Birthright of Rensselaer or The Good Samaritan Food Pantry.

The family would like to thank the First Christian Church for extending their graciousness to them in their time of sorrow.

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