Obituary of Dr. Joel H. Parrish, Jr.
Dr. Joel H. Parrish Jr., age 81, passed away Sunday evening, May 4, 2025, with family at his side.
Joel was born on February 29, 1944, in Cleveland, Ohio, to the late Joel and Arline (nee Siess) and raised in Cleveland and Akron, Ohio. He was a proud 1962 graduate of Saint Ignatius High School. Joel attended John Carroll University for his undergraduate degree. He obtained a Doctorate of Dental Surgery from The University of Detroit.
Upon conclusion of dental school, Joel served as a Lieutenant in the United States Navy, providing dental care on naval bases in Norfolk and Virginia Beach, VA. After leaving the Navy, Joel pursued a focus on periodontics and earned a degree of Master of Science in Dentistry at Case Western Reserve University.
On December 30, 1967, he married Particia Ann Cunningham at Saint Therese Church in Garfield Heights, Ohio. Joel was the beloved husband of 57 years to Patricia; loving father of Joel Parrish III, Ann (Jeff) Rzasa, Tom (Anne) Parrish, Amy (Matt) Warren; devoted grandfather (affectionately called “Pops”) of T.J. and Katie Rzasa, Andrew, Morgan and Max Parrish, and Emily and Lizzie Warren. He is also survived by his sister, Karen Parrish; brother, Michael (Iris) Parrish; as well as several nieces and nephews.
Joel and Patricia moved their family to Joliet in 1974 when he became a partner at Endodontic & Periodontic Associates, Ltd., where he enjoyed working with patients in the community for over 25 years. Upon retirement, he found fulfillment volunteering at the Will-Grundy Medical Clinic.
Joel enjoyed golfing, travelling, skiing and fishing. He savored his time with dear friends and family. Most importantly, Joel was a man of deep faith. His Catholic faith was a central part of his life where he found peace in attending mass daily. He was an active parishioner of the former Saint Jude Catholic Church and current parishioner of Queen of Apostles Catholic Church in Joliet, IL, and St. Gregory the Great in Bluffton, SC.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in his name can be made to Queen of Apostles Church.
Visitation for Dr. Parrish will be on Monday, May 12, 2025, from 4-7pm at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Road (at Essington) Joliet. Funeral services will begin Tuesday morning, May 13, 2025, at the funeral home with prayers at 9 am, to Queen of Apostles Catholic Church, 18 N Woodlawn Ave., Joliet, for Mass at 10 am. Interment with honors at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery will be held privately.
For more information, please call (815) 741-5500 or visit www.fredcdames.com, where you can also share a favorite memory or leave a condolence.
