PARKER, Russel Oren "Barney" 1922-2010

PARKER, BROWN

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 8/10/2010 at 13:49:54

Russel Oren "Barney" Parker

MARBLE ROCK - Funeral services for Barney Parker, 88, formerly of Marble Rock, will be at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2010, at the Walter Bohl Community Center in Marble Rock with Pastor Ashok Patet officiating. Burial will be in the Hillside Cemetery, Marble Rock, with military rites conducted by Stroud-Gates American Legion Post 387 of Marble Rock. Visitation will be 5-8 p.m. today, Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2010, at Reid's Funeral Chapel, 519 N. First St., Greene. There will be a remembrance service at 7 p.m.

Russel Oren Parker was born on Feb. 20, 1922, in rural Marble Rock, a son of Arthur and Daisy (Brown) Parker and died Aug. 7, 2010, at the Nora Springs Care Center, Nora Springs, after a long struggle with cancer.

Barney attended school for eight years at the Scott Township Country School and then attended Marble Rock High School, graduating in 1939. He was a lifelong resident of Marble Rock until entering the Nora Springs Care Center in January of 2007. Barney was inducted into the Army Air Force in 1943 and received his basic training at Fort Collins, Colo. For the next three years he served in Saipan, Tinian, and Guam. Barney was awarded three battle stars for his distinguished service. He seldom spoke of his war experiences but stated how proud he was to have served, at the same time, with his brothers Mike and Roy during World War II. Barney was a lifetime member of the Clear Lake VFW and served as vice-commander of the American Legion.

Following an honorable discharge from the service, Barney returned home to manage the grain elevators in Marble Rock, Rockford, and Swea City. After retiring, he did crop adjusting for the Farm Bureau. Barney also served on the board of directors of the Soybean Growers in Mason City and Sheldon.

Barney loved all sports but baseball was his favorite and he considered it one of his proudest accomplishments to have coached the Marble Rock Junior Legion baseball team. He was an excellent athlete in his younger years. He enjoyed watching sports on television. He was an avid gardener and nothing pleased him more than growing his beautiful garden and giving it away to his friends. He loved to read non-fiction books. Barney was a very good cook and loved to cook for others. He was fond of golfing and playing cards with his friends and spent many hours fishing and hunting both near and far. Barney chose a bachelor's life but enjoyed all his nieces and nephews.

Barney is survived by his brother, Kenneth "Mike" (Renee) Parker of Marble Rock; two sisters, Gail Kammeyer of Greene and Wilma "Billie" (Robert) Vantuyl of Greene, as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Edgar and Roy, and sisters, Helen and Dorothy; sisters-in-law, Peggy Parker and Berniece Parker; brothers-in-law, Leroy Kingery, Ralph McGrath, Robert Kammeyer and Harry Merfeld.

Those planning an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to the Barney Parker Memorial Fund, 2537 Echo Ave, Rockford, Iowa 50468. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Reid's Funeral Chapel, 519 N. First St. Greene, 641-823-4457. www.reidsfuneralchapel.com.

[Globe Gazette online, Tuesday, August 10, 2010 -- www.globegazette.com ]