Carol B. Parrish

Carolyn Beth Parrish

Nee: Koppen

Carol Parrish was born November 4, 1933, to Ben and Ebba Koppen in Chicago, IL where she attended Coonley School and loved her neighborhood friends.   She later moved to Joliet with her family and attended Joliet Township High School.  After graduation, she began her career as a transcriptionist for The Great American Insurance CO. in Chicago, IL where she later met the love of her life, Wilkie Parrish.  Carol admittedly “corrected” his dictation because she “knew what he was trying to say.”  They were married in Joliet, IL on May 19, 1956.  They celebrated their 65^th wedding anniversary just before Wilkie’s death in 2021.

Carol was a devoted member of St. John’s Lutheran Church where she served in various Women’s ministries.  She had an amazingly simple faith which she shared freely with all who knew her.  Carol was a 20-year resident of Finnuala Condos.

During her life she enjoyed several activities, including many camping trips with her family and spending summers at the beach with her grandkids.  She loved pretty flowers in her yard and shared her love of animals with her children.

Carol was an avid fan of the Chicago Cubs, Bulls, Bears and QVC.  She loved reading, playing games on her tablet and keeping in touch with family and friends on Facebook.

She is survived by her loving children, David Parrish of Oregon; Steven (Linda) Parrish of Virginia; and Jill Parrish of Florida.

Beloved Grandma of Jason Parrish, Eugene, OR; Adam (Andrea) Johnson of Joliet; Nicholas (Christina) Breen of Las Vegas, NV; and Caysi Lehmann of Florida.

Adored Great-Grandma of Cameron, Autumn, Summer, Winnter, Lacey, and Joshua Johnson; Jaiden, Camden, Devin, Sienna, Jaxon and Finley Breen; and Great-Great Grandma of Briella.

Dear sister of brothers Donald (Kay) Koppen; Larry (Pat) Koppen; Bill (Betty) Koppen; sister-in-law Ruth Koppen, as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Wilkie Parrish; brother Robert Koppen; sister-in-law Sharon Koppen; and brother and sister-in-law Billy and Louise Thompson.

Carol peacefully and joyfully entered the loving arms of her Savior Jesus on October 7, 2023, at Ascension St. Jospeh Medical Center in Joliet, holding the hand of her daughter, and surrounded by her loving family.

If you would like to honor Carol’s amazing legacy of life, in lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. John’s Lutheran Church in Joliet, IL.

Services to be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 2650 Plainfield Rd, Joliet on Tuesday October, 17, 2023 at 4:30 p.m. with visitation starting at 4:00 p.m. until time of service and again after the service 5-6:30 p.m.