Dennis J. Parker

Dennis Joe Parker Sr. entered into the loving arms of Jesus at his home on July 12, 2025.

Dennis was born to Kenneth E. and Erma S. (Bishop) Parker on Sept. 20, 1946, in Findlay, Ohio.

He married Janis (Petie) Semer of Alvordton, Ohio, on Dec. 23, 1965, in Archbold, Ohio. They met while he was working for the phone company and she was a phone operator.

She was the love of his life and they shared many years together and loved to travel in their little pop-up camper. The two of them loved their family and especially their grandkids. The pride in both of their eyes when they talked about each of them and even the "bonus" grandkids stood out to all.

Dennis was a 1964 graduate of Deshler High School. After graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served as a hospital corpsman Second Class from 1965 to 1969 when he was honorably discharged.

He was stationed at the U.S. Naval Hospitals in Great Lakes, Illinois, and in Portsmouth, Virginia, as a physical therapy technician and also for a short time aboard the USS Guadalcanal LPH-7 in 1966. While he was on the USS Guadalcanal, he was severely injured as a helicopter crashed onto the deck.

Dennis selflessly cared for his fellow sailors until he lost consciousness from his own injuries. As a result, he was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal. He was especially proud of his own service and that he was a military man to the end.

After he returned home from the Navy, he attended Bowling Green State University and Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. Dennis served his community for many years to aid them in their grieving moments and to bring comfort to others with grace and care.

He was an avid collector as well. Dennis was an avid reader and student of history, especially military, World War II and the Old West. He rarely read fiction. He also loved to play trivia games and was a definite candidate for "Jeopardy!" which he watched regularly.

He was a competitive pistol shooter and reloader for many years. He was currently the President of the Patrick Henry School District Public Library as well as a past member of the Board of Trustees of the NW Ohio Regional Library District.

Dennis was also a member of the Deshler American Legion Post #316 in Deshler, where he also had served as the Post Service Officer. He could often be found on the firing squad for funerals and for Memorial Day Services. He was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans.

He was a dedicated supporter of the right to bear arms and was an endowment member of the National Rifle Association, a member of the Ohio Rifle and Pistol Association, United States Practical Shooting Association, International Practical Shooting Confederation, Defensive Pistol Association, the Single Action Shooting Society with the alias "High Spade" and he shot with the Auglaize Rough Riders in Defiance, Ohio. He served as a past president of the NW Ohio Combat Pistol Club.

Dennis' second home was at the Maumee Valley Sportsman's Club in Malinta, Ohio, and once described it as his happy place. Since 1977 he was a member of the board of directors and served as the secretary and handled the membership for them. He also started the club newsletter which he continued to publish monthly until his recent illness. Dennis was also a member of the Henry County Republican Central Committee as the representative from Deshler Village.

Dennis was a member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church and then New Beginnings United Methodist Church in Deshler, where he served on the church council as the sole trustee remaining.

He is survived by his son, Dennis Joe (Vanessa) Parker Jr. of St. Augustine, Florida, and his daughter Tracy Black of Deshler; five grandchildren, Autumn (Michael) Nguyen of St. Augustine Florida, Samuel (Beth) Black of Findlay, Ohio; twins, Benjamin (Justina) Black of Bowling Green, Ohio; Jacob (Cally) Black of Maple Grove, Minnesota; and Apryl Parker of St. Augustine, Florida. He also had two great-grandchildren who he loved immensely, Kyleigh and Landen.

Dennis is also survived by his brother, Roger Parker of Deshler, and twin sisters, Carolyn Hiser of Deshler and Marolyn Bostelman of Archbold. He will also be missed by many nieces, nephews and good friends. Dennis also kept in regular contact with his very first friend from childhood, Bob LeVeck, who survives in Colorado.

He was preceded in death by his parents and wife, as well as his son-in-law, Tim Black, who he loved dearly. In addition, he was able to support his siblings through the loss of their spouses, Linda Parker, Michael Hiser and Frederick Bostelman.

Funeral services will be held at New Beginnings United Methodist Church in Deshler at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 16, 2025 with Pastor James Brown officiating. Friends and family may visit the Feehan Funeral Home in Deshler on Tuesday, July 15 from 2 to 8 p.m. and at 10 a.m. at the church on Wednesday, July 16. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Deshler with full military honors.

Memorial contributions can be made to New Beginnings United Methodist Church, the Patrick Henry School District Public Library, or to the Maumee Valley Sportsman's Club for a future way to memorialize him there in the future.

Messages and memories can be left at www.feehanfuneralhome.com.