John Robert “Griz” Parker, 72, of Dieterich, Illinois, passed away at 11:48 PM on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at the Linda White Hospice House in Evansville, Indiana.
A service celebrating John’s life will be held at 12:00 PM (Noon) on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at the Meyer Funeral Home in Newton, Illinois, with Mike Evans officiating. A visitation for family and friends will be held from 10:00 AM until service time. A private burial will be in the Walnut Grove Cemetery in Monroe City, Indiana. In loving memory of John, memorials may be made to The Isaiah 1:17 Project.
John was born on March 4, 1954, in Muncie, Indiana, the son of Merlin Robert “Bob” and Blanche (Jones) Parker. He married the love of his life Arletha Hope Leuthardt on February 16, 1972, in Vincennes, Indiana.
John was an owner/operator truck driver for over 30 years. He enjoyed farming, scrapping and raising rat terrier dogs. John was a member of the Sailor Springs Christian Church.
John is survived by his wife of 54 years Arletha Hope Parker of Dieterich, Illinois, children Heather Mumma of Effingham, Illinois; Johnna (John) Cook of Effingham, Illinois and Billy (Amanda) Parker of Princeton, Indiana, grandchildren Miriah (Shaun) Broeker, Adrian Parker, Veronika Mumma (Zac Slifer), Penelope Parker (Brady Bosecker), Matthias Cook and Preston Parker, great grandchildren Eva Darleen Broeker and Grace Broeker due in January 2027, sister Mary Matthews of Green Briar, Arkansas and brother Eric Parker of Washington, Indiana.
John was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Tom, Chad and Paul Parker and a sister Leona McKay.
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