Arlene May Parks

Arlene May Parks died Tuesday, September 6, 2016, at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing. She was born September 21, 1928, in Owosso, Michigan, the seventh of eight children, to Herbert and Bessie (Currier) Seward. She was mostly a stay at home mom but also worked 18 years as a secretary at North Presbyterian Church at which she was an active member for over 60 years. She enjoyed singing in the choir, playing bells, teaching Sunday school and whatever else needed done at church. Arlene and Dean spent 22 years wintering in Mesa, Arizona, where she enjoyed singing in the choir, teaching water aerobics, sightseeing trips, and enjoying the warm winters with their friends. She and Dean, along with other family members, enjoyed square dancing with the Bath Shootin' Stars. Although the last few years her activities were limited she enjoyed socializing at the Bath Senior Center and attending church whenever possible.
Survived by her husband of 64 years and caregiver of 16 years, Dean R. Parks of Lansing; three children, Lou Ann (Roger) Whiting of Mason, Janet (Martin) Blanchard of Grand Haven, and Richard (Gretchen) Parks, of Appleton, Wisconsin; grandchildren, Jonathon William Boyce, Jaclyn Marie (Adam) Suchecki, Kathryn Arlene Parks, Colton Dean Parks; great grandchild, Quinn Louise Suchecki; two brothers, Reuben (Connie) Seward and Edward (Priscilla) Seward; and many nieces, nephews, friends, and neighbors.
She was predeceased by 2 infant sisters, her sister Leora (LaVern) Pearsall, her brothers Orville (Kay) Seward, Owen (Violet) Seward, and her son-in-law James W. Boyce.
Funeral services will be held at Asbury United Methodist Church, 2200 Lake Lansing Road, Lansing, Michigan 48912, on Wednesday, September 14, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be at 1:30 p.m. at Gunnisonville Cemetery in DeWitt. Family will receive visitors at the Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, DeWitt Chapel, 205 East Washington, DeWitt, Michigan 48820, from 4 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, September 13, 2016, and again one hour prior to the services at church.
Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Foundation, Memorial and Honor Program, PO Box 13067, Alexandria, VA 22312 or Asbury United Methodist Church. The family would like to thank the wonderful doctors, nurses (especially Brooke, Shelby and Chelsea), and staff at Sparrow Hospital for the wonderful care and compassion shown to Arlene the last week of her life.
Condolences may be expressed at www.grdewitt.com.
Arrangements under the direction of Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, Dewitt, MI.