Dale Ervin ‘Mike’ Parker
Parker
GWINN, MI – Dale Ervin “Mike” Parker, age 91, of Gwinn, entered eternal life early Sunday morning, February 21, 2021, at home, in the comforting care of Ron, Sarah, and Maxwell Zinski and the caregivers of U.P. Home Health and Hospice.
Mike was born December 4, 1929, in Marquette, Michigan, a son of Delbert and Mildred (Lenore) Parker. Mike lived in Marquette for 88 years, until he moved to Gwinn to live with his family.
Mike graduated from the 8th grade at Baraga Parochial School in 1944. He worked many jobs until he was drafted in May of 1951, into the Army. Mike served during the Korean War and was honorably discharged in March of 1953. After the war he returned to Marquette and joined the Bricklayers Union as a mason until he retired in 1992, having been a 50 year member of the union.
He met his soulmate of 51 years, Deloris (Dupras) Arvey in 1957. He helped her raise her four boys. For over 20 years, Mike and Deloris took several mentally handicapped persons into their home as foster children. In his leisure time, Mike enjoyed riding around Presque Isle watching the deer, going to the casino, playing for several cribbage leagues, and also enjoyed watching the Detroit Red Wings games. Mike was an avid hunter and fisherman who enjoyed fishing the Carp and Chocolay rivers. In his later years, he enjoyed spending as much time as he could with his great grandson, Max Zinski. Mike enjoyed Max spending the night because that meant they could go to as many parks as they could fit into one day. The also enjoyed going fishing, watching the deer, and playing games together.
Mike is survived by his sister, Sandy (Rod) Runion of Marquette; a brother, Leonard Parker of Marquette; Deloris’s sons, Ronald (Monika) Zinski of Gwinn, Terry Arvey of Muskegon, Randy (Darie) Arvey of Fort Wayne, IN: grandchildren, Scott (Nicole) Baker, Ronald (Sarah) Zinski II, Christopher Zinski, Matthew, Allen, Elizabeth Arvey, and Kaitlin (Jason) Lee; great-grandchildren, Michael, Cody, Maxwell, Kaliyah, Izabella, Zyler, Matthew, Alyse, Taylin, and Andrew; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Mike was preceded in death by his soulmate of 51 years, Deloris (Dupras) Arvey; his siblings, Betty, Edward, Joan, Melvin, Rose, Mary, and Joe Parker.
Honoring Mike’s wishes no services will be held.
The family would like to express their appreciation to the staff of U.P. Home Health and Hospice for the dedicated care throughout this difficult time.
Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family, where condolences may be expressed online at fassbenderswansonhansen.com.