Dale E. Gerrish

Dale E. Gerrish, age 78, of Rockville died at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008 at his farm.

He was born May 5, 1930 in Clinton to the late J. Clarence and Esther Madonna Freed Gerrish. He married Norma Jean LaPrees Gerrish on Jun 16, 1951. She preceded him in death on May 28, 1997.

Mr. Gerrish was a graduate of Mecca High School and Indiana State Teachers College. He was a 50-year member and Past Master of Parke Masonic Lodge #8, Scottish Rite Valley of Terre Haute, Zorah Shrine of Terre Haute and Parke County Low 12 Club. He also served on the West Central Economic Development. He was active in community affairs his entire lifetime.

He served the past 32 years as Parke County Councilman, serving 31 years as council president. He was officially sworn in Tuesday to serve another four-year term. He was an active farmer and retired from Otter Creek Junior High School and an industrial arts teacher with 15 years service.

Survivors include two sons, Mike Gerrish and wife Melinda of Shirley and Steve Gerrish and wife Anita of Crawfordsville; two daughters, Donna Berry of Rockville and Peggy S. Lovelady of Carlisle; two sisters, Martha Jean Cox and husband Dane of Montezuma and Mildred Robertson of Franklin; special friend Betty Ruark and family of Rockville; 11 grandchildren, John Wagner, Michael D. Gerrish, Jennifer Bussberg and husband Brad, Roxanne Ensor and husband Gene, Chris Black and husband Ronnie, Dale Berry, Jeremy Gerrish and wife Melissa, Gretchen Zagorski and husband Ben, Rachel Badgett and husband Aaron, Roger Lovelady and wife Toni, Dusty Lovelady and wife Megan; 10 great-grandchildren, Alisa Bussberg, Andrew Ensor, Jacob Ensor, Cody Ensor, Keely Black, Til Black, Wyatt Lovelady, Carson Lovelady, Parker Badgett and Luke Zagorski.

He was also preceded in death by his half sister Judy Faraco.

Masonic services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 3 in Gooch Funeral Home, 112 W. Howard St. Rockville, with Parke Lodge #8 officiating. Funeral services will follow with Rev. Brad C. Bumgardner officiating. Burial will be in Memory Garden Cemetery in Rockville.

Calling was Friday at the funeral home.

Memorial may be made to the Parke Lodge #8, 907 Eastwood Drive, Rockville, In 47872 or Mecca ARABS, PO Box 4, Mecca, IN 47860 to support the Mecca School.

Friends may sign an online guest register at www.goochfuneralhome.com