Joseph R. Parker

Joseph R. "Joe" Parker, age 71, of Shawano, was freed from the prison of his body and taken to Heaven in the arms of Our Lady, Monday, June 14, 2021. He was born October 5, 1949 in Minneapolis, MN, son of the late Joseph and Gloria (Mrsich) Parker and was a graduate of Bloomington High School, Bloomington, MN.

After graduation, Joe enlisted in the US Army and courageously served his country in the Vietnam War, stationed in Vietnam, Korea and Germany, until his honorable discharge after 7 years of service. Joe started his sales career for Canada Dry. While on a business trip for Canada Dry, Joe met his future wife, Mary Jane. They married June 14, 1975 and shared 46 loving years as husband and wife. Following in the footsteps of his father, Joe eventually became a branch manager for G & K Services in Illinois and Texas. After suffering a heart attack, Joe left G & K and began working for Lizer Lawn Care and for his brother, Bob at Parker Brothers Appliance, where he remained until his health no longer allowed him to work.

Joe enjoyed being home and working on his yard. He took up cooking and baking and loved to experiment with recipes to "WOW" his family. Joe was a true family man and cherished spending time with his children and grandchildren, especially with the babies. The most important thing to Joe was his Catholic faith and was a valiant warrior for his faith.

Joseph is survived by his wife, Mary Jane; 6 children: Leah (Peter) Merriman and Joseph, Christa, Angela, David and Mario Parker; 13 grandchildren, 3 of whom knew Joe as "Dad": Adrianna, Damien and Ariana Parker, Sean Holland, Veronica, Olivia, Trent, Imelda, Malachi, Ruth, Alma and Mary Merriman and Angelica Parker; 2 great-grandchildren, Gianna and Oakley Merriman and 8 siblings: Mary (Robert) Kelemen, Robert (Gina) Parker, Michael (Terri) Parker, David (Denise) Parker, Ana (Leonard) Schultz, Katherine (Robert) Zeik, Peter (Teresa) Parker and Lucia Schwarten. He is further survived by brothers-in-law: Richard Gunderson, James Stachura and Michael Liebgott; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by 3 sisters: Dawn Gunderson, Angela Stachura and Laura Liebgott; brother-in-law, Todd Schwarten and a dear cousin, Craig.

Visitation will be held at Newcomer-Green Bay Chapel (340 S. Monroe Ave., Green Bay), Friday, June 18, 2021 from 4 to 7 PM. A Solemn Requiem High Mass will be offered at the funeral home, Saturday, June 19, 2021 at 11 AM, with Bishop Joseph Pfeiffer officiating. Burial will be in Nicolet Memorial Gardens with full military honors.

Joe's family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Northwinds Vent Community at Mountain View Care Center for their tireless, compassionate care.