Ronald L. Parke

Ronald L. Parke, age 73, died on Wednesday, June 22, 2011, at 2:00 P.M. in his home surrounded by his loving family and friends. Ron was a graduate of Wright Township High School in Waldron, Michigan, and worked as an iron worker for forty-eight years with Union Local #55 in Toledo until his retirement in 2003. He was a veteran of the United States Navy and was a member of the American Legion Post #368 in Morenci, Michigan. He was also a member of Wauseon Masonic Lodge #349, the Zenobia Shrine and the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, Valley of Toledo. He served as a two-term trustee at Lake Seneca, was co-owner of the Nest Bar in Fayette for three years and was an avid Michigan Wolverine, Nascar, and Detroit sports teams fan. He also coached women’s softball for many years, leading his teams to many tournament championships. Ronald L. Parke was born on January 27, 1938, in Hudson, Michigan, the son of Veron and Jessie (Walter) Parke. He married Margery Shaffer on June 8, 1963, in Morenci, Michigan, and she survives. Surviving in addition to his wife are five daughters, Lisa Parke, of Cleveland, Ohio, Lynn Parke, of Bryan, Ohio, Lori (Dan) Poynter, of Montpelier, and Teresa (Mike) Ehens and Andrea (John) Jones, both in Illinois. Also surviving are ten grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren, five stepgrandchildren, five stepgreat-grandchildren, one brother, Lowell Parke, of Panama City, Florida, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant brother, Robert Parke, and one sister, Viola Atkinson. Visitation will be held on Sunday, June 26, 2011, after 2:00 P.M. in the Krill Funeral Home, 860 West Mulberry Street, Bryan, with Masonic services to be held at 7:00 P.M. on Sunday in the funeral home. Services will be held on Monday, June 27, 2011, at 11:00 A.M. in the Krill Funeral Home, Bryan, with Pastor Louie Weber officiating. Interment will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Montpelier, with grave side military rites conducted by Morenci American Legion Post #368. Memorials are requested to the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, Oasis Fellowship Christian Church in Wauseon or to Community Hospitals and Wellness Centers Hospital Hospice.