Alton Parker

Alton W. Parker, 89, a resident of rural Albion and widely acquainted York Township farmer, passed away at 5:50 p. m. on Monday, September 1, 2014 at Presence Sacred Heart Home in Avilla following an extended illness. Mr. Parker was born in Wolf Lake on January 13, 1925, a son of J. D.and Doris (Wiley) Parker. He was president of the Noble County Rural Youth as a young man and graduated from Albion High School in 1943. A World War II Army veteran, he was married in Albion on February 12, 1949 to Virginia E. Keister. He was a lifelong resident of Noble County, and had lived at his present farm home since 1952. Employed at Food Marketing in Fort Wayne for 23 years, he retired as a truck loader. In addition, he was engaged in farming in York Township all of his adult life, and had served as a 4-H leader for many years. He was a member of the Merriam Christian Chapel, Noble County Gideons, Albion American Legion Post, and the Noble County Farm Bureau. Mrs. Parker preceded him in death on February 20, 2002. The surviving relatives include his six children Dennis (Pat) Parker of Winston-Salem, N.C., Dudley (Colleen) Parker, DeLane (Val) Parker, Darrin (Rhonda) Parker, and Danny Parker, all of Albion, and Darla Jo Parker of Franklin; a brother John (Esther) Parker of Woodburn; 13 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by two brothers Robert Parker and Jack Parker; and a special friend Delores "Dee" Miller. Funeral services will be held at 10 a. m. on Friday, September 5, 2014, in the Merriam Christian Chapel with Pastors Steve Pulley and Dwayne Berna, officiating. The family will receive friends at the church multi-purpose room on Thursday from 2 to 8 p. m., or one hour prior to the service Friday morning. Interment with military graveside rites will be in the Christian Chapel Cemetery, Merriam. For those who wish, memorials may be directed to the Merriam Christian Chapel or the Noble County Gideons. Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco is in charge of the arrangements. ***********************************************