Jeannette Marie Buck

JEANNETTE MARIE PARSON BUCK, RN, 91, joined her loved ones in heavenly rest on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, surrounded by her family and in the care and comfort of her angels at Urbana Place and Stephanie Laurito's wonderful Affinity Hospice team. She was the beloved wife of Franklin Garner Buck, and mother of Rose Marie Stockton (Robert Thomas) of New York City, and Laura Ann Reynolds of Urbana. She was a loving grandmother to Nicole (Robert) Farrell, Franklin (Danielle) Mitola, Andrea (Samuel) Johnson, all of New Jersey, Sara (Joshua) Lowry of Urbana and Emily Buck Mittelmark (Glenn Rauch) of New York City. And she was a proud Granny to nine great-grandchildren: Bobby and Lily Farrell; Garner, Corlaine and Camille Mitola; Juniper and Jolene Johnson; and Piper and Harrison Lowry. Jeannette was born on January 25, 1932 in Gallup, Lawrence Co., KY to Ruben Gideon and Minervia York Parson, and the family moved to Urbana during WWII. She graduated from UHS in 1950, eloped with her high school sweetheart Frankie in March 1952, and graduated from Mt. Carmel School of Nursing in 1953. Her nursing career began at the old Champaign County Hospital on S. Rte 68, where she assisted in the delivery of many Baby Boom generation infants in this area. In addition to private duty nursing for the Grimes family, she then spent 32 years managing the medical dispensary at Grimes Manufacturing, treasuring lifelong friendships forged there, recalling fondly the tiniest details about them well into her final days. Before retirement, she was an elder care nurse at Hope House in Springfield, cared for her ailing mother at home for several years, as well as for Frank during his terminal illness. Jeannette and Frank cherished their 52 years together raising their girls, working a small farm south of town for a spell, sharing devotional work at their church, antiquing all over the county and traveling extensively in their golden years. In addition to the California coast, Las Vegas and Acapulco, they visited London, Paris and Rome. But they were most enchanted with Ireland where Frank's work took him often to Castlebar, Co. Mayo, their favorite place on this earth. At 73, after Frank's passing in 2005, Jeannette returned to college to complete her Bachelor of Science degree. She was within a few credits of graduating at Urbana University when she became too disabled by a progressive spine disorder to continue. Through this long, painful struggle, she was grateful for the loving home care of her dear friend Alice Chadwell. For the rest of her life, she was lifted up by the gift of her precious grandchildren, and the blessings of seeing her nine great-grandkids arrive and thrive. Jeannette was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brother-in-law Victor Rucker, infant nephew Franklin Aaron Rucker, son-in-law, Barry Reynolds and dear sister from another mother Margie Atkins Cromwell. She is survived by her only sibling, sister Jerenia Edna Rucker of Springfield, her daughters, grandkids, great-grandkids and special nephew Reuben Rucker, as well as his siblings Todd and Tara. Also surviving are many dear cousins from the Parson/Hardin/York clans of eastern KY, and many sweet nieces, nephews and cousins from the extended Buck family of Champaign County. Friends are welcome to join the family for a visitation at the Walter & Lewis Funeral Home in Urbana, on Monday, March 13th from 4-7 p.m. There will be a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary Catholic Church of Urbana on Tuesday, March 14th at 11 a.m., with celebrant Father Greg Konerman officiating. Interment will follow at Oak Dale Cemetery, with pallbearers Frank Mitola, Bob Farrell, Sam Johnson, Josh Lowry, Reuben Rucker, Rob Thomas and honorary pallbearer Dennis Woodruff. All are welcome to join and celebrate her life and pray for her peace. In lieu of flowers, friends may consider donating to the Dayton Ohio Nurse Honor Guard, a local chapter of nurses who travel to perform the Nightingale Tribute for nurses as they pass. Contributions may be made to the Guard, c/o Jennifer Rang at 2684 Laurelwood Court, Beavercreek, Ohio 45431. Expressions of sympathy may be left for the family at www.walterfunerals.com