Dale K. Parker Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Dale K. Parker passed away peacefully in his home on Saturday, March 6, 2021. Dale was born January 12, 1935 in Grove City, Pennsylvania. After receiving a degree in business economics from Grove City College, he joined the Army to complete his required military service. He served in the Corp of Engineers in Fort Lewis, Washington and after an honorable discharge in 1958, he went to work for the flooring division of Armstrong World Industries. During his 44 years with the company, Dale lived in Baltimore, Boston, San Francisco and Los Angeles. That is where he met Mary Corinne Meyer, who had just moved from Durango, Colorado to be a sixth-grade teacher. Dale and Corinne fell in love, married in August 1968, and were transferred to Jacksonville, Florida where their daughter Stephanie was born in 1971. In 1973 they were transferred to the Armstrong Detroit office and lived in Troy, Michigan for 47 years. Dale was extremely proud and thankful to have a long career with a company that represented such high standards and expectations. October 2012 brought Dale and Corinne to Traverse City, Michigan to be near their daughter, Stephanie, her husband, Bill Prall Jr., and their two granddaughters, Madeline and Lilly. Dale was very committed to his family and always enthusiastic to be part of baking and decorating cookies, spending time together, and having family meals and gatherings. Each Christmas Eve, Dale would read “The Night Before Christmas” to Madeline and Lilly, a family tradition that is remembered fondly. Extending his family tree even further, he was fortunate to be “found” by previously unknown cousins in Warren and Ann Arbor, Michigan. Avid University of Michigan fans, they soon had Dale going to every home football game and most away games, even traveling to Hawaii and Washington State. Being the extremely supportive and kind man that he was, Dale would also make sure to root for Michigan State when they were not playing against University of Michigan. Before joining the Central United Methodist Church, Dale and Corinne were very involved in the Birmingham First United Methodist Church in Birmingham, Michigan. Their service work included teaching Sunday school, counseling the senior high youth groups and serving on many committees within the church. Dale’s commitment to the church and infectious can-do attitude did not go unnoticed as he was placed in charge of researching and finding a new organ as well as renovating the sanctuary within the Church. Both Dale and Corinne were fortunate enough to travel to Prague, Czech Republic five separate times as part of mission work trips. Dale was always positive and optimistic, waking up ready to meet the day and any challenge that could present itself. You could often find him humming as he went through his day-to-day routines. He was always equipped with party tricks and jokes and made it his mission to make others laugh...and even if he couldn’t get them to laugh, he was always giggling. Dale was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Margaret Parker and his only sibling, Helen Jane Parker. Our Dale, Dad and Pop Pop will be deeply missed. In accordance with Dale’s wishes cremation and a private family memorial service has taken place. In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider a memorial donation to Central United Methodist Church Missions Fund, 222 Cass Ave., Traverse City, Michigan 49684 or the charity of your choice. Please feel free to share your thoughts and memories with Dale’s family at his tribute page at www.reynolds-jonhkoff.com. The family is being cared for by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

Dale K. Parker

January 12, 1935 - March 6, 2021