- Date Of Birth: July 31, 1940
- Date Of Death: April 19, 2014
- State: Indiana
Leah ” Willarose” Parson, 73,of Fairmount, Indiana died on April 19, 2013 at University Nursing Center in Upland.
Born Wednesday, July 31, 1940 in Blackford County, Indiana, she was the daughter of the late William Yeley and the late Leah RockyYeley. She was a 1958 graduate of Jefferson Township High School, Marion College in 1975 and received her Masters Degree form Ball State in 1977.Willarose retired in 2005 from Marion Community Schools where she taught Special Education at both McCulloch and Tucker.While teaching Special Education she started the first Special Olympics in Marion in 1981 as well as a 4-H program for handicapped winning blue ribbons and going to the state fair. Her classes also adopted Wesleyan Nursing Home Residents. Willarose was a member of Jones Chapel Church and recently attended Fairmount Baptist Church.She previously served on the Madison-Grant School board and was a Fairmount Republican Precinct Committeeperson.She enjoyed traveling to Spain, Africa and Mexico and also attended the George HW Bush Inauguration.As a local educator, her motivation inspired others in her life to excel.
Surviving are son, Doug Parson of Lecanto, FL, daughter, Jill (Jimm) Milligan of Muncie, IN, brothers, Larry (Carol) Yeley of McCordsville, IN Jim Yeley of Upland, IN, sister, Jenetta Tinsley; 3 grand children:Katelyn and Lauren Milligan and Jennifer Parson.
She was preceded in death by grandson, Quinn Milligan.
