Homer F. Parsons, 73, of Niles, died at home Tuesday, September 12, 2017, surrounded by his loving family.  He was born October 16, 1943 in Grafton, W. Va., the son of Homer M. and Martha Marie (Perkins) Parsons Trader, and had lived most of his life in West Virginia, coming to Ohio 2 ½ years ago.

A graduate of Grafton (W. Va.) High School, Homer served in the U.S. Army.  He worked 18 years for General Electric and retired from the Weston, W. Va. Police Department, working in parking enforcement.  A member of Central Baptist Church in Niles, he had been a lay minister for many years in West Virginia.  He enjoyed his family, tinkering in the garage, and “all things Mickey Mouse.”

Surviving are his wife, Linda R. (Conner) Parsons, whom he married December 7, 1966; three children: Carol Diane Helmick of Niles, Rebecca Jo (Keith) Kyle of Scottdale, Pa., and Jeffrey Lee (Melissa) Parsons of Elkins, W. Va.; five grandchildren: Joshua (Samantha) Helmick, Taylor Kyle (fiancé Jake McNeice), Jeffrey R., Grace, and Madison Parsons; five great-grandchildren: Isaac Yoho, John Wayne Helmick, Hunter Helmick, Levi McNeice, and Zoey Helmick; two very special god-children: Harmonie and Shelbyann Ruderman, both of Weston, W. Va.; a brother, Russell M. Parsons of Parsons, W. Va.; and two sisters: Wanda M. (Fred) Trader of Parsons, W. Va. and Chrystal Bolyard of Grafton, W. Va.  Preceding him in death are his parents and a son-in-law, Ralph Helmick.

A memorial service will be conducted at 12:00 noon Friday, September 15, 2017 at Central Baptist Church in Niles, where friends may call from 11:00 am to 12:00 noon Friday.  A second memorial service will be conducted at 4:30 pm Saturday, September 16, 2017 at Real Life Church in Weston, W. Va., where friends may call from 3:00 to 4:30 pm Saturday.

Per his request, Homer’s body has been donated to medical research through West Virginia University, with the intention of understanding his many illnesses, in order to help others.

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