Ortha Parmelee

Ortha E. Smith Parmelee, 99 years of Monroe, MI passed away Saturday, July 28, 2007 at 10:05 PM in the Lutheran Home surrounded by her loving family. Ortha had been in poor health for 2 weeks. Ortha was born October 7, 1907 in the family home on Smith Rd. in Bedford Township, MI the daughter of the late Frederick T. and Anna (Scharer) Smith. A 1925 graduate of Lambertville High School Ortha went on to attend Albion College where she was president of the W.W.A., vice president of her sophomore class and a member of the Delta Gamma sorority. Ortha transferred to Ohio State University her junior year where she received her BS Degree in Education in 1929. In 1964 Ortha received her MA from Eastern Michigan University and did post graduate work at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA. On October 15, 1932 Ortha married LeRoy (Bud) Parmelee at the Collingwood Methodist Church in Toledo, OH. Sadly he preceded her in death on August 31, 1981. Ortha began her teaching career by teaching high school in Van Wert, OH. She taught for Bedford Public Schools for 7 years and for Monroe Public Schools at both Custer Junior High and Cantrick from 1955 until her retirement in 1971. Ortha was an active member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Monroe serving on numerous boards and commissions. She taught Sunday School for over 40 years and was a prayer group leader, Associate Lay Leader and a delegate to the church conference for 3 years. Her other memberships and activities include; Camp Fire Board of Directors, past president of the State Cluster Camping Association, Historical Society, Sawyer Homestead, life member of Order of Eastern Star, past president of the Lotus Garden Club, past president of Monroe Council of Garden Clubs, Monroe Council of Churches and the GFWC of Monroe. She served as Parliamentarian of the Federated Garden Clubs of Michigan. She was a life member of U.M.W., MARSP and Monroe Senior Citizens. Ortha also received the following awards; Alfred Simpson Church Person Of The Year in 1987, Minute Man Award, Jenny Sawyer Award in 2002 and the Certificate for Distinguished Educational Service from Monroe Public Schools in 1967. Ortha is survived by 2 loving daughters; Jan E. (Eddie) Taylor of Brooklyn, MI and Annalee (James) Volpi of Monroe, MI. 8 cherished grandchildren and 17 cherished great grandchildren. In addition to her parents and husband Ortha was preceded in death by her son Roy O. Parmelee on November 8, 1996 a brother Harold Smith and a half brother Orville Myers. Visitation for Ortha will be held on Tuesday from 11:00 AM until 8:00 PM in the Bacarella Funeral Home. On Wednesday, August 1, 2007 she will lie in state at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church from 10:00 AM until funeral services celebrating her life at 11:00 AM. The Rev. Evans C. Bentley pastor of the Church will officiate. Private interment services will be held at Toledo Memorial Park in Sylvania, OH. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul’s United Methodist Church Scholarship Fund.