Deacon John G. Parker, 82, Fort Recovery, Ohio, died April 29, 2018 at Briarwood Village, Coldwater, OH.

He was born January 29, 1936, in Cincinnati, OH, to the late Charles and Virginia (Federer) Parker. On August 21, 1965, he married Janet L. "Jan" (Steinkamp) Parker, who survives.

Also surviving are his children, Janet (Paul) Rohrer of Fort Recovery, OH, Jeanne Parker of Fort Myers, FL, Jennifer (Steve) Schwieterman of Portland, IN, and John C. (Amy) Parker of Fort Wayne, IN; siblings, Barbara Cook of Blairsville, GA, Sarah Neff of Galloway, NJ, and Stephen (Anna) Parker of Louisville, KY; 12 grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren; and in-law, Janet L. Steinkamp of Cincinnati, OH.

Preceding him in death are his brother, Rodney Parker and brother-in-law, Maurice "Sonny" Neff.

He was a graduate of the North American College, of Vatican City State, Rome, Italy, the Thomas Moore College, Covington, KY and Ball State University, Muncie, IN. He served as a Deacon at Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church, Fort Recovery and retired as a teacher at Fort Recovery Schools. John spent a total of 42 years in education. He also taught Driver's Education for 23 years and was a bus driver for Fort Recovery Schools.

Deacon John was ordained as a Permanent Deacon in Cincinnati on June 22, 1985. He was the first Permanent Deacon in Mercer County and enjoyed serving God's people for over 30 years. While he was a Deacon he performed about 100 weddings and over 600 baptisms. He also served as the CCD Coordinator for 17 years and taught religion classes at Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church and St. Bernard Catholic Church, Burkettsville, Ohio.

Deacon John was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 3324, Fort Recovery, where he served as their chaplain for a number of years. He was a member of the Deacons/Wives Support Group since 1985 and the Mercer County Retired Teachers Association. He was also a member of Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church.

In his spare time he enjoyed music, old movies, pingpong, his family and his dogs. He was known for his dry humor jokes and will be greatly missed.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 am Thursday, May 3, 2018 at Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church, with Fr. Thomas Dorn and Fr. Paul Wohlwend concelebrating. Burial will follow at St. Marys Cemetery, Fort Recovery.

Calling is 2:00 pm-8:00 pm Wednesday and 9:00 am-10:00 am Thursday at Brockman-Boeckman Funeral Home, Fort Recovery. A Knights of Columbus prayer service will be held at 7:45 pm Wednesday at the funeral home.

Contributions can be made to State of the Heart Care or the Cincinnati Dioceses Permanent Deacon Formation.

Condolences may be directed to www.brockmanboeckmanfh.com.