Bruce Roger Parmenter

 Bruce R. Parmenter of Urbana died on Wednesday, February 20, 2019.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Judy Key Parmenter; three daughters, Linda Searby (Mark) of Newberry, FL, Cindi Parmenter of Brentwood, TN, and Patti Reichard (Jon) of Urbana, IL; and two sons, Todd Parmenter (Pamela) of Peoria, IL, and Eric Parmenter (Sherry) of Franklin, TN. He is also survived by 13 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

Bruce was born at St. Anthony’s Hospital in Effingham, IL on September 19, 1931. He was the son of G. H. Parmenter, MD, and Lydia Evans Parmenter.  He married Judith Jane Key on December 24, 1950. He graduated from Beecher City High School, Lincoln Bible Institute, Columbia Theological Seminary, Christian Theological Seminary, and Eden Theological Seminary.

Bruce served as minister of several Christian Churches and Churches of Christ for over 20 years. He was professor of Pastoral Care & Counseling at Lincoln Christian Seminary from 1968-1977 and professor of Marriage and Family Therapy at Friends University in Wichita, Kansas from 1989-93. He was an approved supervisor in the AAMFT. He was the founder of the Christian Counseling Center in Champaign, IL in 1977 and served as director until 1989.

Dr. Parmenter was the author of seven books and numerous articles. He was an avid St. Louis Cardinals and Fighting Illini fan. He loved hunting and horses. He was an expert in Civil War history, particularly Abraham Lincoln.

Bruce was a man of deep faith in Jesus Christ and shared his faith with others in loving and wise ways. He was a teacher, mentor, and shepherd to countless students and supervisees. He loved the Church and served faithfully through preaching, teaching, and counseling into his eighties.

He loved his wife and family well. His legacy will live on through his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Memorials are requested to be made to the Bruce R. Parmenter Scholarship Fund at Lincoln Christian University, 100 Campus View Drive, Lincoln, IL   62656.

The celebration of Dr. Parmenter’s life will be held on Tuesday, February 26 at the Quest Church (2004 Philo Road, Urbana) at 11:00 a.m. The service will be officiated by Dr. Mark Searby and Brother Richard Miller. Visitation will be from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Monday, February 25 at the Renner-Wikoff Chapel, 1900 Philo Road, Urbana, and also one hour prior to the funeral service at the Quest Church.   

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