Cover photo for Charles Richard Parker's Obituary
Charles Richard Parker Profile Photo
1933 Charles 2021

Charles Richard Parker

July 28, 1933 — October 4, 2021

Marshall

Charles Richard Parker, 88, of Marshall, passed away on Monday, October 4,2021 at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing.

He was born on July 28,1933 to Henry and Mary Teresa (Schaub) Parker in Battle Creek. Charles attended Marshall High School and was involved in 4-H and FFA. He was drafted into the Korean War on April 7,1953 and was honorably discharged on April 6,1955 attaining the rank of Sergeant.

He married Margaret Maisner in 1957 in Battle Creek.

As a young man, Charles worked at the Calhoun Co. Fairgrounds sweeping the midway. His working career included the family farm and the Harvey Maisner farm, Russ Lutz John Deere Dealer in Ceresco and Chapman Tractor Sales in Marshall as a mechanic. He retired in 1988 from Kellogg Cereal Co. as a Millwright after 30 years of employment.

Charles sat on the Marshall Township Planning Commission for over 40 years and served for 20 years on the Marshall Township Board of Review. He was a member of the Marshall Lions and a past member of the Marshall Moose Lodge. Charles was a life member of the American Belgian Association and the Kellogg Sportsman Club. He was a member of the Kellogg 25 Year Club. Charles was also a member of the Calhoun County Agricultural and Industrial Society and he served on the Calhoun County Fair Board and dedicated much of his time and had many fond memories involved with the Calhoun County Fair.

He enjoyed his large circle of family and friends, hosting events on his farm. Some of his proudest moments were at tractor shows with his 1953 Ford NAA beside his great grandson's Ford 801. Charles spent much of his retirement years raising Belgian horses and working with his favorite team of mares, Brenda and Dinah.

Charles is survived by his loving wife of 64 years Margaret, his children; Jeffrey (Lesley) Parker of Marshall, Thomas (Kelly) Parker of Olivet and Patty Parker of Marshall, his grandchildren; Teresa Parker, Chance (Erica) Parker, Riley (Kendell) Parker, Sam (Laken) Parker and Bailey Parker, his great grandchildren; Alissa Coughlin, Nathan Coughlin, Lexi Kelley, Reese Parker, Eric Parker, Brooklyn Parker, Finley Parker, Lyric Schaarsmith, Justin Schaarsmith and Rose Schaarsmith, his brother; Robert (Jeanine) Parker of Olivet, his sister-in-law; Bernice Parker of Eckford and his brother-in-law; Tom Pharr of Battle Creek. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Fred Parker and his sister Dianne Pharr.

Visitation will take place on Thursday, October 7,2021 from 3:30 until 8:00 PM at Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services, 723 US Hwy 27 N Marshall, Michigan 49068. A memorial service will take place on Friday, October 8,2021 at 11:00 AM at the funeral home. Interment will take place at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Granary Project at the CCAIS or one of the other historic buildings at the fairgrounds.

Please visit https://kempffuneralhome.com to view the online obituary, to sign the online guestbook or to leave the family condolences.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Charles Richard Parker, please visit our flower store.

Guestbook

Visits: 20

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Send Flowers

Send Flowers

Plant A Tree

Plant A Tree