Chris Parish

Chris Parish, 68, of Flat Rock, IL, passed away on August 23, 2025, in the comfort of his home, surrounded by his family.

He was born on June 18, 1957, in Vincennes, IN, the youngest of eight sons born to Noble R. & Lela (Southers) Parish. Growing up in a bustling household of brothers, Chris quickly learned the value of both hard work and family. He graduated from Palestine High School in 1975, and his summers during those years were spent working for his brother Mitchell in Winslow, IN, operating heavy equipment to move dirt and mine coal. It was there, in the summer of 1977, that Chris met Kim Williams, who would become the love of his life. A year later, on June 1, 1978, they were married. This summer, Chris and Kim celebrated their 47th wedding anniversary, grateful for a lifetime of love and partnership.

Chris continued operating heavy equipment until 1987, when he accepted a job with the CIPS/Ameren plant in Hutsonville. He worked in maintenance there until taking an early retirement. But “retirement” didn’t mean slowing down. Instead, Chris poured his time and energy into raising beef and poultry, gardening alongside Kim, and working the soil of their small family farm. A homebody at heart, he loved tinkering in his shop, often with a hot cup of coffee in hand and his good friend and neighbor, John Edgington, by his side.

Family was the heartbeat of Chris’s life. To his grandchildren, he was “Papaw” (and everyone’s favorite). He was the kind of grandfather who gave tractor and four-wheeler rides, handed out candy in his shop, fished by the water’s edge, read books without end, and watched cartoons (or Westerns, depending on the age of his company). Those simple, ordinary moments became treasured memories. And in the end, it was in those ordinary moments that Chris’s love was felt most deeply; a love his family will carry with them for the rest of their lives.

Chris is survived by his wife of 47 years, Kim Parish; his children, Christopher “Graham” & Rachel Parish, Jody Parish & Liz Slabinski, Kasey & Robert “Bud” Foreman, and Benjamin & Michelle Parish; and his grandchildren, Anna (Parish) & Devin Powell, Samuel Parish, Russell Parish, Heidi Parish, Ethan Parish, Fern Parish, Maddox Slabinski, Hudson Parish, Everett & Wyatt Foreman, Miles Parish, Mack Parish, and Millie Parish. He also leaves behind his brothers, George Parish, Cleman & Candy Parish, and Vernal Parish, along with several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Noble & Lela Parish, and by his brothers, Jim Parish, Bob Parish, Jack Parish, and Mitchell Parish.

A time of visitation will be held from 4:00–7:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 28th, at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Palestine. Memorial contributions may be made to the Palestine NOW Program, providing nutrition on weekends to local students in need, and envelopes will be available at the funeral home. A private family graveside service will be held at the Baker Cemetery.