Gail "Corky" Parker, 73, of Rensselaer, father of White County residents, died Monday, March 1, 2004, at St. Elizabeth Medical Center, in Lafayette.

He was born at Rensselaer on January 20, 1931, to Gaylord and Gertrude (Downs) Parker. He married Jean Shumaker at Dayton on July 26, 1952. She survives.

He attended the Rensselaer schools and joined the U.S. Marine Corps on January 16, 1951.

He was a lifetime farmer.

He was a member of the Iroquois Valley Christian Church in Rensselaer.

He served as the Jordan Township Trustee for 16 years.

He was a member of the American Legion Post 29 and was an avid fisherman.

Survivors include daughters, Gayla (Ralph) Carroll of Rensselaer, Cinda (Alan) Kelley of Monticello, Teresa (Rick) Miller of Akron and Laurie (Harold) Smith of Monon; 13 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

Three brothers and three sisters are deceased.

Funeral services were at the Iroquois Valley Christian Church with minister Scott Chastain, officiating. Jackson Funeral Chapel was in charge of the services.

Burial was at Memory Gardens Cemetery, Rensselaer.

Memorials may be made to the Living Water Christian Church in Haiti.