It is with very deep regret and sorrow that the Salisbury Township Fire Company announces the passing of Chief Emeritus L. Ross Parmer this morning (12/26/08) at the age of 91.

Chief Parmer faithfully served the Company since 1944, serving as fire chief from 1948-1974 & 1978-1998. At the time of his passing, he was serving the company in the capacity of Assistant Treasurer and as a Fire Police Officer. He also served as assistant fire chief for the company, Emergency Management Director for Salisbury Township, President of the Lancaster County Fire Chiefs Association, and as a Pennsylvania State Forest Fire Warden.

Funeral arrangements are as follows:

VIEWING:
Monday, December 29, 2008 from 6PM-9PM at Station 4-9; 111 White Horse Road, Gap, PA.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008 from 9AM-10AM at Station 4-9; 111 White Horse Road, Gap, PA.

FUNERAL & INTERNMENT:
Tuesday, December 30, 2008 at 10AM at Station 4-9; 111 White Horse Road, Gap, PA., with internment at the Pequea EC Church 5482 Old Philadelphia Pike, Gap, PA.

Funeral Arrangements by Groff-High-Eckenroth Funeral Home, New Holland Pa. http://www.groffeckenroth.com/index.php

***Per request of Chief Parmer's Family, it is requested that NO fire or EMS apparatus be brought to the viewing or services***

Godspeed, Chief. You will be missed!

This is Chief Parmer's obituary in the Lancaster Newspapers:
"L. Ross Parmer

L. Ross Parmer, 91, of 503 Meetinghouse Road, Gap, PA, formerly of White Horse, died Friday morning, Dec. 26, 2008 at his home following a brief illness. He is survived by his wife, Lillian H. (Kessler) Parmer, with whom he shared 42 years of marriage. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Dorothy K. (McKillips) Parmer, in 1966. He was a member of Pequea E.C. Church, Gap.

Born in Lancaster, he was the son of the late George T. and Elsie (McCowan) Parmer.

Ross had worked 17 years as a welder at Lukens Steel in Coatesville and then had Parmers welding shop in White Horse until retiring in 1982.

He had been a member of White Horse Fire Company for five years before serving as chief for 47 years and also nine years as Fire Police for a total of 61 years of service. Ross had also been Forest Fire Warden for 55 years and a member of Salisbury Sportsmen Association.

Surviving in addition to his wife are stepchildren: Jerri W., married to Cindy L. (Weaver) Parmer of Blue Ball, Cindy D., married to Dennis Adams of Myerstown, Robin J., married to Joe Silva of Leola, and Kevin L., married to Denise (Groff) Parmer of Narvon; ten step grandchildren and ten step great-grandchildren; a niece, Sharon Frankhouser; nephews, Jerry and Dale Frankhouser; and his best friend, John Sheaffer, Jr.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Dorothy Frankhouser.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, Dec. 30, at 10 a.m. at the White Horse Fire Company, 111 White Horse Road, Gap, with the Rev. Greg Dimick officiating. Interment will be in the Pequea E.C. Cemetery. Viewing will be held on Monday, Dec. 29, from 6-9 p.m. at the White Horse Fire Co. and also on Tuesday from 9 a.m. until time of service. Contributions may be made to Hospice of Lancaster County, P.O. Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604-4125. To send the family condolences, visit us at www.groffeckenroth.com. Arrangements by Groff-High Funeral Home, New Holland."