Ernest “Ernie” E. Parker, age 98, of 7979 Garth Point Lane; Rapid River, died peacefully on Saturday, November 19th, 2005 at the home of his daughter, Sharon Cowman, of the Rapid River area.

Ernie was born April 20th, 1907 in Carp Lake, MI, the son of Herbert and Myrtle (Porter) Parker and was raised in the Central Lake area of Lower Michigan. In the early 1920’s he was a member of military by serving in what is called today, the National Guard.

Ernie moved to the Seney, Michigan area as a young man and during the Great Depression, he refused to accept any government assistance, and took his living from the woods by hunting, trapping, and fern picking.

After retiring at age 62, Ernie relocated to the Rapid River area from Allen Park, MI where he was employed   by Euth-Lambert Co. as a refrigeration electrician repairman. In earlier times, he was also employed as a plasterer.

While residing in the Garth Point area, Ernie was referred to as “the Mayor of Garth Point” and he was entrusted with the care of a number of homes while people were away from their residences.      

Ernie Parker was an outdoorsman, enjoying hunting, fishing, and animal trapping. In his leisure, he was partial to baseball and football and the Detroit Lions and Detroit Tigers were his favorite teams. Additionally, he enjoyed golfing, and playing cards at the Rapid River Lions Club and Omni Center.

In addition to his loving daughter, Sharon Cowman, of Rapid River, Ernie leaves to survive:
2 grandsons, Terry (Diane) Cowman of Pennsylvania and Mark Cowman of Rapid River, 2 great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.

Ernie was preceded in death by his parents, 4 brothers; George, Albert, Herman, and Harold, and by 4 sisters; Florence, Doris, Cecil, and Clara. He was also preceded in death by a son, Ronald Parker.      

The family of Ernest “Ernie” Parker will receive friends on Wednesday at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Services celebrating his life will follow on Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. at the Skradski Funeral Home with Rev. Stephen Gauger of the Calvary Lutheran Church of Rapid River officiating. Luncheon will follow services in the Calvary Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall.