Juanita Frances Parker Farmer, of Niles
Published 9:44 am Thursday, May 21, 2015
Jan. 12, 1916 — May 8, 2015
Juanita Frances Parker Farmer passed away on May 8, 2015, at the home of her son in Dryden, New York.
A longtime resident of Niles, she was born in Hammond, Indiana on Jan. 12, 1916, a daughter of Charles and Della Hood Parker. After graduating from business school in South Bend, she worked as an executive secretary for Kawneer in Niles.
In 1940 she married Claude Farmer and helped him on their little farm while raising their two boys. After the boys were in school, she returned to Kawneer and worked until she retired in the early 70s. At that time she and her loving husband fulfilled a long time dream and built a cabin on Tie Lake in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, the same lake where they had honeymooned 30 years earlier.
She loved the outdoors especially bird watching, hiking and tending her flower garden. She also enjoyed spending time with a very large extended family and many friends. Juanita and Claude were adventurers and for their 50th anniversary took a camping trip on Isle Royale in Michigan.
After his death in 1997, she lived independently until she came to stay in Dryden. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her sister Violet Crawford, brothers Murray, Harry, William and Charles Parker. She is survived by her sons David (Ginny) of Dryden and Don (Gail) of Dallas, Texas. She is also succeeded by grandchildren Chantelle, Andrew , Marc and Eric Farmer, and great grandchildren Natasha, Annabella and Ethan Farmer. She also leaves behind many loving and supportive nieces and nephews. She was a long time member of the First Presbyterian Church of Niles.
A memorial service will be held, at a date in late June to be announced, in Niles. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Niles or to the charity of one’s choice. Perkins Funeral in Dryden, New York is assisting the family. www.perkinsfuneralhome.com