Mary Ellen Parker of DeWitt, went to be with her Lord on July 12 at the age of 97. She was born June 11, 1921 to Charles and Mildred White in Minneapolis, MN. She moved with her family to Ovid, MI in her senior year, where she met the love of her life, James (Jim) Parker Sr. They were married 73 years, living most of them in the Lansing/Dewitt area. Mary Ellen worked for Federal-Mogul in St. Johns in the 50s, and at Michigan Automobile Dealers Association in the 70s. She loved growing African violets, sewing, doing crafts and spending time with family. She knitted sweaters and blankets for all the family babies and found great joy in babysitting for them. Camping was her favorite vacation, especially when a lighthouse or the Mackinac Bridge was in sight. She was a lifetime member of the Methodist Church, and in later years attended Redeemer United Methodist Church with her family. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jim; and daughter-in-law, Yvonne Parker. She is survived by her three children, James Jr. (Bonnie) Parker, Dennis Parker and Patti (John) Forist. She loved being with her eight grandchildren, Cheri (Tom) DeClercq, Michael (Amy) Parker, Jeffrey (Emily) Parker, Matthew (Ashley) Parker, Brandon (Liz) Parker, Keri (Troy) White, John Jr. Forist, Joseph Forist; and her 16 great grandchildren. She will be missed by the full family and by the wonderful people that cared for her at Gunnisonville Meadows Assisted Living.
A memorial service will take place at 11:00 am on Thursday, July 26 at Redeemer United Methodist Church in DeWitt, with a luncheon to follow at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Great Lakes Hospice, 3100 West Rd., Building 2, Suite 110, East Lansing, MI 48823 or Redeemer United Methodist Church, DeWitt, MI 48820.
